1/23/2025

Configuring Expiry Date Tracking in Your Shopify Store

If you’re running an online store on Shopify, you might be dealing with PRODUCTS that have limited shelf lives. Whether you're selling food items, cosmetics, or anything else perishable, keeping track of expiry dates is not only a smart move for inventory management but also a necessity for customer satisfaction and legal compliance. In this post, we’ll dive into the nitty-gritty of configuring expiry date tracking in your Shopify store. So buckle up because we’re going to make this complex task a breeze!

Why You Need Expiry Date Tracking

Understanding why you need expiry date tracking might seem obvious, but let’s break it down:

Quality Control: Customers expect FRESH products. By tracking expiry dates, you can ensure that what you’re offering is top-notch.
Operational Efficiency: Tracking these dates means you can manage your inventory effectively, reducing WASTE and boosting your bottom line.
Compliance: Depending on your industry, there may be LEGAL requirements to ensure products sold are within their usage dates.

Types of Products Requiring Expiry Tracking

Food Products: These typically have strict regulations surrounding their sale.| Dealing with food means freshness is everything.| Expiry dates ensure you're selling safe products.
Cosmetics: Products like creams, lotions, and makeup can have shelf lives as well. Using expired cosmetics can lead to SKIN IRRITATIONS or infections, so it's crucial to keep track of them.
Pharmaceuticals: Similar to food, medications have critical expiry dates that one must adhere to, as administering expired medicines can be dangerous.

How to Set Up Expiry Date Tracking

Setting up tracking for product expiry dates isn’t as tough as you might think. Here’s your step-by-step guide to get started:

1. Choose a Dedicated App

First up, you’ll want to find a suitable app that meets your needs. The Expiration Dates app is a great starting point for this. Here’s how to pick the right one for your business:

Look for apps that support bulk importing of expiry data.
Consider apps that integrate seamlessly with other features in your store.
Check ratings and reviews from other users to gauge effectiveness. Apps like Freshly could also work to track batches and manage expiry dates effectively!

2. Install the App

To install your chosen app, simply navigate to your Shopify Admin:

Go to the Shopify App Store
Find the app you selected and click on the Add app button.
Follow the installation prompts.

3. Input Your Product Data

With your app ready, it’s time to populate it with your product data:

Upload a CSV file containing your products with their respective expiry dates.
If you have products that don’t have expiry dates, ensure you indicate that in your uploads.

4. Set Up Notifications

Most expiry date tracking apps allow you to set notifications. This is crucial as it reminds you before products turn OLD so you can:

Run promotions on soon-to-expire products.
Remove them from inventory if necessary.
Notify customers about the limited availability of these products.

5. Display Expiry Dates on Product Pages

A transparent approach can build TRUST with your customers. Use apps that allow you to display expiry dates directly on your product pages. It reassures buyers that you care about their well-being. Think about it; would you buy food online without knowing its expiry date?

6. Automate Your Stock Management Processes

Automation can save time & reduce human error. Utilize tools that automatically adjust stock levels or create reminders based on input expiry dates. Not only do you reduce the chances of surprises and errors, but you also maintain better customer relations.

Best Practices for Expiry Date Management

After setting up tracking, here are some best practices to keep your expiries under control:

Regularly audit your inventory to check for outdated products.
Rotate your stock (First Expired, First Out – FEFO) to use older items first.
Offer discounts on items nearing their expiry to move product quickly while still ensuring customer satisfaction. This can effectively reduce waste!

Example: How to Handle Expired Products

In an ideal scenario, you’d have assessed your inventory regularly, but what happens if you do end up with expired stock? You can consider:

Donation: If possible, donate items that are still safe but close to or just passed their expiration date.
Discounting: Sell at a reduced price. Communicate clearly about the expiry so customers can make informed decisions.
Composting: If products cannot be used, compost or dispose of them following local regulations to adhere to safe disposal practices.

Maintain Your Shopify Store with Arsturn

To boost ENGAGEMENT & improve customer service even MORE, consider using Arsturn. This service enables you to create custom chatbots, using Conversational AI to handle FAQs, including questions about product expiry and stock. Hence, whenever customers have queries about whether a product is fresh, your bot will have users covered instantly! This way, you can focus on growing your business while ensuring customer satisfaction stays high.

How Arsturn Benefits Your Store:

No coding required
Train bots with your store’s data
Instantly answer customer questions
Great engagements lead to higher conversions!

Conclusion

In summary, configuring expiry date tracking in your Shopify store is crucial for managing perishable inventory and ensuring customer safety. By selecting the proper tools, implementing best practices, and maintaining transparency with your customers, you can significantly enhance the efficiency of your operations and the satisfaction of your customers. Don’t forget to utilize tools like Arsturn to make the experience even smoother!

So what are you waiting for? Start implementing expiry date tracking today for a fresher, more reliable Shopify store!