The inventory column in your product CSV is ignored by multi-location stores.

Variant Inventory Qty in the product CSV only works for single-location stores. How to import stock for multiple locations.

Mistakes that break multi-location stock

The most common failures we see with multi-location inventory:

Putting quantities in Variant Inventory Qty when the store has multiple locations - the column is ignored and stock stays wrong.
Missing location headers: the inventory CSV requires exact location names as columns.
Confusing the inventory CSV with the product CSV - different headers, different purpose.

ShopTools validates both file types - it flags inventory columns in the wrong file and checks SKU uniqueness so multi-location stock imports cleanly.

File type awareness: Flags inventory columns that belong in the inventory CSV
SKU uniqueness: Ensures variant SKUs stay unique across locations
Header validation: Checks location columns against Shopify's format

Export the inventory CSV from Shopify admin (Products > Inventory > Export).
Each row is one variant; each location is one column with the available quantity.
Edit the quantities per location, keeping variant SKUs intact.
Import the file and verify stock per location in admin.

Before: Product CSV with Variant Inventory Qty=10 (ignored in multi-location store) After: Inventory CSV: SKU-100 / Warehouse A=6 / Warehouse B=4
Before: Stock shows zero after import despite quantities in the product CSV After: Stock correct per location after importing the inventory CSV

Stores with warehouses or retail locations: Multi-location stock needs the inventory CSV
Stores where stock never updates: The product CSV quantity column was ignored

Why is my stock not updating?: If your store has multiple locations, Shopify ignores the Variant Inventory Qty column in the product CSV. Use the dedicated inventory CSV instead.
How do I know if my store is multi-location?: Go to Settings > Locations in Shopify admin. More than one location means you need the inventory CSV for stock imports.
What is the inventory CSV structure?: One row per variant, with the variant's SKU and a column for each location holding that location's available quantity.
Can I use both files?: Yes - the product CSV handles products and variants; the inventory CSV handles stock levels. Import the product CSV first, then inventory.