Are you migrating from a previous POS?

Yes: Export your inventory data to get a head start on your import file. If you're familiar with a spreadsheet program like Google Sheets, this is the fastest way to migrate your inventory to your Lightspeed Retail POS account. This is especially true if you have a large inventory.

No: Create your import file from scratch. If you're familiar with a spreadsheet program like Google Sheets, this is the fastest way to migrate your inventory to your Lightspeed Retail POS account. This is especially true if you have a large inventory.

Is your current QOH accurate?

Yes: Being able to rely on the QOH from your previous POS is a big time-saver to get started with Lightspeed Retail POS. Export your inventory data to get a head start on your import file.

No: Before you export your inventory data, do an inventory count in your previous POS as you’re most familiar with it at this point in your Lightspeed Retail POS journey. To do an inventory count, retailers typically either close early to do it overnight or close for a business day.

If for any reason you aren't able to do an inventory count in your previous POS, you can do one in Lightspeed Retail POS after you import your items. If you don't foresee being able to do an inventory count before your desired go-live date with Lightspeed Retail POS, go live with a QOH of 0 for all your items. Once you start processing sales, your inventory will simply go into the negative and you can plan to do an inventory count to correct it when you have more time.

Are you familiar with a spreadsheet program like Google Sheets?

Yes: Read the Help articles and watch the Help videos to learn how to format your import file and import your items. If you have specific questions, chat or call our Retail Imports team. If you call, we recommend requesting a callback so you don't need to stay on the line while you wait to get assistance. We encourage you to import your inventory yourself as it's the fastest option to get your inventory into your Lightspeed Retail POS account (in most cases).

No: We encourage you to import your inventory yourself as it's the fastest option to get your inventory into your Lightspeed Retail POS account (in most cases). Read the Help articles and watch the Help videos in this section to learn how to format your import file and import your items. If you have specific questions, chat or call our Retail Imports team. If you call, we recommend requesting a callback so you don't need to stay on the line while you wait to get assistance. If you still have issues importing your items, you can format your import file to the best of your ability and send it to our Retail Imports team. Alternatively, if you want to do build your inventory yourself, you can add your items manually.

Are you planning to sell items while you migrate your inventory data from your previous POS system to Lightspeed Retail POS?

Yes: In your initial import file, you'll need to exclude your QOH. Then, the day before your start processing sales in your Lightspeed Retail POS account, you'll need to import your QOH using a purchase order. The import file will only need three columns: 

• Unique identifier (e.g. UPC)
• QOH
• Unit cost

For more information, please see Migrating from your previous POS.

No: Include both your inventory data and QOH in your initial import file. As you're not going to be selling items after you export your inventory data, your QOH will remain accurate. For more information, please see Migrating from your previous POS.

How many items are you adding to your inventory?

Under 10,000: You can import up to 10,000 items at a time.

Over 10,000: As larger inventories tend to be more complex to import, we typically recommend formatting your import file to the best of your ability and emailing it to our Retail Import team if you foresee needing assistance. They'll work with you to make sure it's formatted correctly and import it for you.

Are some of your items the same but vary in size, color or by another attribute (e.g. t-shirts)?

Yes: Import your items as variants grouped within a specific matrix. For more information, please see Formatting matrix variants in item import files.

No: Import your items as individual singles, assemblies or boxes.

If you're part of the RACS initiative, we recommend importing all your items as singles or non-inventory items.