POS for dropshipping business

Retail & Point of Sale
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Hi,

I’d like to know if there is a way to sell in-person (using the Shopify POS app) the products that I sell on my dropshipping site through Shopify without having a physical inventory at that time? I want to set up a pop-up stall where people can see and try on my products as samples, and then order via the Shopify POS app the product that they choose - is this possible?

Thanks,

Thread Light Apparel

www.threadlightapparel.com

2

Hi @ThreadLightAppa

It sounds like you’re looking for a way to sell your dropshipping products in person without keeping inventory on hand. You want to set up a pop-up stall where customers can see and try sample products, then place an order through Shopify POS, with the product being shipped directly to them. That’s a great way to create an in-person shopping experience while still leveraging the dropshipping model.

The good news? Yes, this is possible with Shopify POS!

Here’s how you can set it up:

1. Use Shopify POS for Order Placement

With Shopify POS, you can process orders without needing to hold inventory. When a customer selects a product, you can create a draft order or a direct order in Shopify POS. Since your products are linked to your online store, you can complete the checkout process right there, and Shopify will trigger the dropshipping fulfillment just like a regular online order.

2. Enable Local Delivery or Shipping to Customer

Since you don’t have inventory on hand, the key is setting up dropshipping fulfillment correctly. When checking out a customer in Shopify POS:

  • Instead of marking the product as “fulfilled” immediately, ensure that the order is routed to your dropshipping supplier for fulfillment.
  • Enter the customer’s shipping address at checkout so the supplier ships the order directly to them.
  • Make sure your shipping settings are configured properly in Shopify to ensure smooth fulfillment.

3. Use a Dropshipping App Compatible with Shopify POS

If you’re using a dropshipping supplier through DSers (AliExpress), Printful, Spocket, or another app, make sure the app allows for manual order placement. Some apps sync automatically, but others may require you to manually confirm the order in the dropshipping dashboard after processing it through POS.

4. Set Up a Custom Receipt Message

Since your customers won’t be walking away with a physical product, update your receipt template to include a message that reminds them their order is being processed and will be shipped directly to their address. You can do this in Settings > Notifications in Shopify.

What to Keep in Mind- Test the process before your event to make sure orders go through smoothly from POS to your dropshipping supplier.

  • If you’re using multiple dropshipping suppliers, ensure they can handle orders placed through POS without manual intervention.
  • Be clear with customers about delivery times, especially if your supplier takes longer to fulfill orders.

Final Thoughts

This setup allows you to showcase your products in person, create a brand experience, and drive more sales without holding stock. Many merchants use this strategy for fashion, accessories, and print-on-demand products—it’s a great hybrid between online and offline selling.

If you need any other assistance, feel free to reply and I will try my best to help.

Best regards,
Daisy