Shoppable Catalogues
Part of Shoppable product catalogues
Keeping stock availability consistent in social shops
Keep social-shop availability aligned with saleable variants using stock-change triggers, public checks and a clear exception process.
Keep social-shop availability aligned with the variant a customer can order. Check the stock source, the public social listing where available, and the store buying page after any change that could affect the offer. A warehouse count, a channel status and the customer's ability to order can each tell a different story.
Key facts on stock consistency and compliance
- ACCC complianceBusinesses must back up claims about products or services. Misleading claims may result in enforcement action.
- Inventory trackingEnsure inventory tracking is enabled for products or variants to prevent unauthorised orders when stock is zero.
- Channel refresh timesVary across platforms; always check actual account and public view after changes, not assumed delays.
Define what can be sold
Choose the system that owns each variant's quantity and decide which fulfilment locations can serve the intended order. A warehouse count alone may not show what can currently be sold, so use the variant's saleable quantity in the chosen source.
Check whether inventory tracking is enabled for the product or variant. If the sales system permits orders when stock is zero, the customer-facing offer should explain the fulfilment conditions accurately, including for a preorder or made-to-order item.
Decide what triggers a review
A stock correction, large order, return to saleable stock, promotion, variant change or fulfilment-location change can call for a check. Assign who updates the source, who inspects the channel and who can pause promotion of an uncertain offer.
For limited-stock variants or stock shared across sales routes, check whether a sale or reservation has changed the saleable quantity before publishing or promoting the offer. Set any low-stock review threshold from the retailer's own demand and update process. Channel refresh times can vary, so check important changes in the actual account and public view rather than assuming a fixed delay.
Compare the three views
| Place | Question |
|---|---|
| Source inventory | Is the exact variant available for the intended order and delivery area? |
| Social listing | What availability or condition does the shopper see, if the feature exposes it? |
| Store page and cart | Can the shopper order that variant under the stated conditions? |
Check the channel's publication status and any reported errors in the retailer's account. A status does not confirm the public offer, so inspect the actual listing and buying route after an important change.
Resolve an exception
If a social listing offers a variant the store cannot sell, correct the source and channel state. Pause or hide the affected item where the channel permits; otherwise stop promoting the uncertain offer while it is fixed.
If the store can sell the variant but the social listing says otherwise, inspect publication status, eligibility and reported errors. Check the exact size or colour before treating an entire product family as unavailable.
Record the variant, what each view showed, the time, the correction and the repeat check. If an active post still promises an unavailable item, update the customer-facing message and inform the support team. The ACCC says it can require businesses to back up claims they make about their products or services. Do not imply immediate dispatch for a qualified preorder.
After a correction, follow the route again. Use the relevant Australian delivery destination.
