How does the app work when creating new products with duplicate SKUs?

When you create a new product or variant with a SKU that already exists in your Shopify store, Flo SKU Sync automatically detects the duplicate SKU and synchronises its inventory with the existing products sharing the same SKU.

This ensures that all products using the same SKU maintain consistent inventory levels.

How It Works

Suppose you already have Product A with:

  • SKU: SKU-123
  • Available Inventory: 50

Now you create Product B with the same SKU (SKU-123).

Scenario 1: Inventory Is Added

If you assign an inventory quantity while creating the new product, Flo SKU Sync will detect the duplicate SKU and synchronise the inventory across all products sharing that SKU.

Example:

Product

SKU

Inventory

Product A

SKU-123

50

Product B (New)

SKU-123

50

Both products will display the same inventory quantity.

Scenario 2: Inventory Is Left Blank

If you create the new product without entering an inventory quantity, Shopify sets its available inventory to 0.

Since no inventory value is assigned, the app cannot synchronise the product with the existing duplicate SKU inventory.

As a result:

  • The new product will display an inventory quantity of 0 in the Flo SKU Sync dashboard.
  • It will not automatically inherit the inventory of the existing duplicate SKU.

Best Practice

When creating a new product that shares an existing SKU:

  • Assign an initial inventory quantity during product creation.
  • Ensure the SKU exactly matches the existing duplicate SKU.
  • Allow Flo SKU Sync to automatically synchronise inventory across all matching products.

Note: If the inventory field is left blank when creating a new product, Shopify assigns an inventory quantity of 0. In this case, Flo SKU Sync will not synchronise the product with the existing duplicate SKU inventory until a valid inventory quantity is assigned.