What is a stock transfer?
November 12, 2026
A stock transfer is the movement of stock from one location to another within the same business, such as between two warehouses, from a warehouse to a shop, or between bin locations. The stock changes place but not owner, so no sale takes place.
Why it matters for online retailers
Transfers let you put stock where it will sell or ship fastest: topping up a shop from the warehouse, balancing two sites, or moving fast sellers closer to the packing bench. If they are not recorded properly, stock disappears from one location before it appears in the other, and channels can oversell.
Types of stock transfer
- Warehouse to warehouse: balancing stock across sites.
- Warehouse to shop: replenishing retail stock.
- Location to location: moving stock between bins or zones in the same building.
- To a 3PL or Amazon FBA: sending stock to a fulfilment centre.
How to manage stock transfers
- Raise a transfer record before stock moves.
- Scan stock out of the sending location and into the receiving one.
- Track stock in transit separately so it isn't sold twice.
- Check quantities received against quantities sent.
How StoreFeeder handles it
StoreFeeder lets you transfer stock between warehouses and locations, so stock levels stay accurate at each site and on every sales channel. In-store EPOS sales use the same stock pool as your online orders.
Read more about StoreFeeder multi-warehouse management.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of stock transfer?
Moving stock from one location to another inside the same business, such as between warehouses or from a warehouse to a shop, without selling it.
Is a stock transfer the same as a sale?
No. Ownership doesn't change, so there is no invoice. Only the stock location changes.
How do I avoid losing track of stock in transit?
Record the transfer before the stock leaves, scan it out and in, and compare quantities sent with quantities received.
