Setting up BOPIS on Shopify should take 30 minutes, but most store owners waste hours hunting through menus, guessing at settings, and testing configurations that don't work. I've watched retailers launch pickup programs that immediately frustrated customers because one critical setting was wrong.
This guide eliminates the guesswork. You'll get exact navigation paths, optimal setting choices, notification templates you can copy, and a testing protocol that catches problems before customers see them.
Whether you're launching BOPIS for the first time or fixing a broken setup, you'll know exactly what to configure and why. By the end of this guide, your Shopify store will have fully functional local pickup that customers can trust.
Before you start configuration, verify you meet these requirements. Missing any of them will block your setup or create operational problems later.
Local pickup is available on all Shopify plans—Basic, Shopify, Advanced, and Plus. According to Shopify's local pickup documentation, there are no plan restrictions for this feature.
You don't need Shopify Plus to offer BOPIS. A Basic plan ($39/month) includes everything necessary for pickup functionality. The difference is in other features—inventory locations, staff accounts, and reporting—not pickup itself.
Shopify requires at least one retail location defined in your admin before you can enable pickup. A "location" in Shopify represents a physical place where you stock inventory—your store, warehouse, or popup shop.
Check if you have locations configured: Settings → Locations. You should see at least one location with a complete address. If you only see a default location with incomplete information, update it with your full retail store address before proceeding.
For multiple store locations, each needs a separate location entry with its own address and inventory. You'll be able to choose which locations offer pickup during configuration.
Products won't show as available for pickup unless you have inventory assigned to your pickup location. Go to any product in your admin and check the Inventory section—it should show quantity at your retail location, not just "warehouse" or other non-retail locations.
If your inventory lives in a warehouse but you want to offer pickup at your retail store, you'll need to transfer or split inventory between locations before launching BOPIS. Customers can only pick up products that show stock at the pickup location.
Shopify POS is essential for managing the pickup fulfillment workflow. This is where staff mark orders "Ready for pickup," print pickup slips, and complete the handoff transaction when customers arrive.
Download Shopify POS from the iOS App Store or Google Play Store. Sign in with your Shopify admin credentials. The basic POS features you need for pickup are included free with your Shopify plan—you don't need POS Pro unless you want advanced retail features.
Without POS, you can technically enable pickup at checkout, but you won't have a proper fulfillment workflow. Your staff will struggle to manage orders and customers won't receive "ready" notifications automatically.
Customers must pay for pickup orders at checkout—before they arrive at your store. BOPIS isn't "order online, pay at pickup." This is intentional: it prevents no-shows and guarantees the sale before you invest labor in picking.
Your existing payment gateway works for pickup orders. Shopify Payments, PayPal, Stripe—whatever you use for shipping orders also processes pickup orders. No special payment configuration needed.
Now we get into the actual configuration. These are the exact steps in your Shopify admin to enable local pickup.
From your Shopify admin dashboard, click Settings (bottom left corner, gear icon). Then select Shipping and delivery from the Settings menu.
Scroll down past your shipping zones and rates. You'll see a section titled Local pickup or Pickup in store—the exact label varies slightly by Shopify version and region, but it's in the same area below shipping zones.
Click the Add pickup button or Manage if you see that instead. This opens the local pickup configuration panel.
You'll see a list of all your locations (the ones you verified in Prerequisites above). Check the box next to each location where you want to offer pickup. Most single-store retailers check just one location. Multi-location businesses can select all stores or just certain ones.
Example: if you have three locations but only Location A has adequate parking and staff for curbside pickup, enable it for Location A only. You can always add more locations later.
For each enabled location, you'll configure these settings:
Expected pickup time: This is how long from order placement until the order is ready. You'll choose from preset options: "Usually ready in 30 minutes," "Usually ready in 2 hours," "Usually ready in 4 hours," "Usually ready in 24 hours," or "Usually ready in 2-4 days."
My recommendation: start with "Usually ready in 2 hours" for same-day pickup, or "Usually ready in 24 hours" for next-day. Don't promise 30 minutes unless you have dedicated staff and very low order volume. Under-promise and over-deliver—customers love getting "ready" notifications early.
Pickup instructions: This text appears at checkout and in order confirmation emails. Include four key pieces: where to park, how to notify you of arrival, what to bring, and your contact number.
Copy-ready template:
"Park in designated BOPIS stalls near the main entrance (look for numbered stalls 1-4). Call or text [your number] when you arrive and let us know your order number and stall number. Please bring photo ID matching the order name. Orders held for 3 days."
Customize the stall numbers, entrance location, and hold time for your store. Keep it under 200 characters if possible—checkout pages need to load fast.
Before saving, Shopify shows a preview of how pickup appears in your checkout. You should see your location name, address, processing time, and instructions displayed clearly alongside shipping options.
Check that the address is correct—customers will use this for navigation. Verify your processing time looks reasonable. Read your instructions as if you're a first-time customer—any confusion means you need to clarify the wording.
Click Save at the top or bottom of the settings panel. Local pickup is now enabled for orders at checkout.
Important: saving enables pickup, but you still need to complete notification setup and POS configuration before going live. Don't announce this to customers yet.
For a broader operational context, see our complete BOPIS Holiday Playbook which covers policies, signage, and staffing beyond just Shopify settings.
Your pickup locations need complete configuration to work properly. Incomplete location data creates customer confusion and operational problems.
Go to Settings → Locations. Click on each location you enabled for pickup. Verify these fields are complete:
Why this matters: customers often use the address to navigate to your store. An incomplete or wrong address means they show up at the wrong place, call frustrated, and leave bad reviews.
Products only show as available for pickup if they have stock at your pickup location. Check this for a few products:
Go to Products, select a product, scroll to Inventory. You should see your pickup location listed with an available quantity greater than zero. If it shows zero or doesn't list your location, inventory isn't properly assigned.
According to Shopify's inventory guide, you may need to transfer inventory from your warehouse to your retail location, or enable inventory tracking at multiple locations.
If you have inventory at both a warehouse and retail store, you have two options:
Option A: Physical transfer—Move physical inventory to your retail location so customers can actually pick it up there. Update Shopify inventory to reflect this. Advantage: accurate availability. Disadvantage: less warehouse stock.
Option B: Virtual allocation—Keep physical inventory at the warehouse but show it as available at the retail location. Fulfill pickup orders by pulling from the warehouse, not in-store stock. Advantage: no physical move needed. Disadvantage: complexity if you sell the same products in-store and for pickup.
Most small retailers use Option A—dedicate shelf space at their retail store for pickup inventory. This keeps operations simple and inventory accurate.
Your processing time promise is critical. Too aggressive and you'll miss deadlines. Too conservative and customers choose competitors with faster pickup.
The processing time options Shopify offers are preset: 30 minutes, 2 hours, 4 hours, 24 hours, or 2-4 days. You can't enter custom times like "90 minutes"—pick the closest preset.
Here's how to choose:
"Usually ready in 30 minutes": Only viable if you have dedicated picker staff, simple products (not requiring assembly), and low volume (under 10 orders per day). Coffee shops, convenience stores, small boutiques. Most stores can't sustain this during peaks.
"Usually ready in 2 hours": Sweet spot for same-day pickup. Gives you time to batch orders, find items, and stage properly. Works for stores doing 10-50 pickups per day with 1-2 staff handling fulfillment. Recommendation: start here.
"Usually ready in 4 hours": Conservative same-day option. Good for stores with part-time staff, complex products requiring verification, or higher order volumes. Also smart during holiday peaks when volume surges unexpectedly.
"Usually ready in 24 hours": Next-day pickup. Safest choice for new BOPIS programs. Takes pressure off same-day fulfillment, lets you batch all orders for next-morning picking. Works well if you're short-staffed or testing pickup for the first time.
"Usually ready in 2-4 days": Only use this if you're doing special orders, custom assembly, or products that need to be brought in from another location. Most customers expect faster pickup—use 24 hours instead if possible.
Shopify doesn't have a built-in "same-day cutoff" setting. If you promise 2-hour pickup but customers order at 7:50pm and you close at 8pm, they expect their order ready before close. This is impossible.
Solutions:
Manual cutoff enforcement: Communicate via website banner: "Same-day pickup available for orders placed before 5pm." Monitor orders and contact customers who order too late to explain it's next-day. Not elegant but works.
Adjust operating hours in Shopify: If you close at 8pm but want a 5pm cutoff for pickup, you could adjust your location's operating hours to show 5pm. This is hacky and may confuse in-person shoppers.
Third-party app: Apps like Store Pickup + Delivery or Local Delivery allow cutoff time configuration. They cost $10-20/month but give you precise control over same-day vs next-day logic.
For most stores, option 1 (manual enforcement with website messaging) works fine until volume justifies an app.
During Black Friday week or December rush, temporarily change your processing time to a longer window. If you normally promise 2 hours, switch to 4 hours or 24 hours for peak days.
Go back to Settings → Shipping and delivery → Local pickup → Manage, edit your processing time, and save. This updates immediately for new orders. Existing orders keep their original promise time.
Announce changes via email blast and website banner: "Due to high holiday volume, pickup orders now ready in 24 hours. Thank you for your patience!"
For comprehensive holiday operational strategies, check our BOPIS best practices guide.
Skip the trial and error with our BOPIS Holiday Ops Kit. You get pickup instructions templates, notification copy, processing time calculators, and a complete QA checklist—everything you need for a smooth Shopify BOPIS launch.
What's Included:
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Customers need to know when their order is ready. Shopify sends automatic notifications at key moments, but you need to customize the content.
Shopify triggers three main notifications for pickup orders:
1. Order confirmation (automatic): Sent immediately when customer completes checkout. Confirms the order, shows what they bought, displays pickup location and estimated ready time. You customize this template.
2. Ready for pickup (automatic): Sent when you mark the order "Ready for pickup" in Shopify POS. This is the most important notification—it tells customers to come get their stuff. You customize this template.
3. Pickup reminder (requires apps or manual): If the customer doesn't pick up within 24-48 hours, send a reminder. Shopify doesn't have this built-in—you need an app or manual follow-up.
Go to Settings → Notifications. Scroll down to find Order confirmation in the customer notifications section. Click it to edit.
The default template works but lacks pickup-specific details. Add a section specifically for pickup orders using Shopify's template language. Here's what to add:
Find the section that shows order items and shipping method. Below that, add:
{% if shipping_method.title contains "Pickup" %} <h3>Pickup Information</h3> <p>Your order will be ready for pickup at:</p> <p><strong>{{ shipping_address.address1 }}<br> {{ shipping_address.city }}, {{ shipping_address.province_code }} {{ shipping_address.zip }}</strong></p> <p>Estimated ready time: {{ fulfillment.estimated_delivery_at | date: "%B %d, %Y" }}</p> <p>We'll send you a "Ready for Pickup" notification when your order is staged and ready.</p> <p><strong>When you arrive:</strong> [Your custom instructions here]</p> <p>Questions? Call us at [your phone number]</p> {% endif %}
This conditional block only shows for pickup orders (not shipping orders). Replace the bracketed sections with your actual instructions and phone number.
This is the money notification—it drives customers to your store. Go to Settings → Notifications → Order ready for pickup.
The default Shopify template is bare bones. Enhance it with urgency, clarity, and logistics. Here's an improved version:
Subject: Your Order #{{ name }} is Ready for Pickup! 🎉 Hi {{ customer.first_name }}, Great news! Your order is ready for pickup at {{ shop.name }}. ORDER #{{ name }} Items: [list of items] PICKUP LOCATION: {{ shipping_address.address1 }} {{ shipping_address.city }}, {{ shipping_address.province_code }} {{ shipping_address.zip }} Phone: [your phone number] HOURS: [Your store hours] PARKING & ARRIVAL: • Park in designated BOPIS stalls (numbered 1-4 near main entrance) • Call or text [your phone] when you arrive • Let us know your order number and stall number • Have photo ID ready We'll bring your order right out! IMPORTANT: We'll hold your order until [date 3 days from now]. If you can't pick up by then, please contact us to arrange an extension or refund. Questions? Reply to this email or call [your phone number]. Thanks for shopping with {{ shop.name }}!
Customize the parking/arrival section for your specific setup. If you do in-store pickup instead of curbside, change it to "Come inside to the pickup counter near customer service."
Email works, but SMS has better open rates—especially for time-sensitive pickup notifications. Shopify doesn't include native SMS notifications. You need either:
Shopify Inbox with SMS: Free tool from Shopify that lets you text customers. Set up manual SMS for pickup readiness, or automate via Shopify Flow (requires Shopify Plus).
Third-party SMS app: Apps like SMSBump, Postscript, or Klaviyo integrate with Shopify and can send automatic SMS when orders are marked ready. Cost: $20-50/month depending on message volume.
Manual texting: Just text customers from your phone when orders are ready. Works fine for low volume (under 20 pickups per day). Use a template: "Hi [name], order #[number] is ready for pickup at [store name]. Park in BOPIS stalls 1-4, text this number when you arrive. We'll bring it out!"
Most stores start with email-only notifications and add SMS once pickup volume justifies the cost or manual effort.
Shopify POS is where the rubber meets the road—actual order fulfillment happens here. Your staff needs to understand this workflow cold.
Download Shopify POS from App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android). You can also use it on an iPad or Android tablet—the interface adapts to larger screens.
Open the app and log in with your Shopify admin email and password. It syncs with your store automatically. If you have multiple locations, select which location this POS device operates from.
POS requires internet—either WiFi or cellular data. If your store has spotty connectivity, POS will struggle to sync orders and inventory. Address this before launching pickup.
When a customer places a pickup order online, it appears in POS within seconds (assuming internet works). Here's where to find it:
Open Shopify POS. Tap the Orders icon (usually bottom navigation). You'll see a list of recent orders. Look for orders tagged as "Pickup" or showing your location name with a pickup icon.
Tap any pickup order to see full details: customer name, items ordered, order number, payment status (should always be "Paid"), and pickup instructions.
Your staff's job: find the items in the order, verify them against the order details in POS, and stage them in a designated area.
Best practice workflow:
Step 1: Print or view the order in POS. Note the order number—this becomes the staging identifier.
Step 2: Walk the store and pick each item. Check them off in POS as you find them. If something is out of stock, note it immediately.
Step 3: Bag or box the items. Attach a slip with the order number and customer name. Use large, readable writing or print a pickup slip from POS (more on this below).
Step 4: Stage the bagged order in your designated pickup area. Use numbered shelves or cubbies—assign orders to slots based on order number (e.g., order #1234 goes in slot 34, last two digits).
Step 5: In POS, tap "Mark as ready for pickup" or "Ready for pickup" button. This triggers the customer notification and updates the order status.
The "ready for pickup" action is crucial. Don't mark it ready until the order is actually staged and ready to hand over. Customers get the notification immediately and may arrive within minutes.
Pickup slips attach to staged orders so staff can quickly identify which bag goes to which customer. According to Shopify POS pickup documentation, you can print slips directly from the POS app.
In the order details screen, look for a Print option (usually three-dot menu or printer icon). Select Print pickup slip. This generates a small receipt showing:
Some stores add a QR code to the pickup slip (requires third-party apps). Customers can show the QR code on their phone, staff scan it in POS, and the order pulls up instantly for confirmation and completion.
If you don't have a receipt printer, handwrite order numbers on tags and attach them to bags. Low-tech but functional.
Customer arrives at your store (curbside or in-store counter). They call, text, or walk up. Here's the handoff process:
Curbside handoff:
In-store handoff:
The "mark as complete" step is important for inventory and reporting. It closes the order and updates your fulfillment metrics.
Common issues and how POS helps:
Wrong person picking up: Check if order allows alternate pickup. If yes and they have order number + confirmation, proceed. If no, politely explain you need the person who placed the order or written permission.
Item missing or out of stock: If you discovered this during picking, you should have contacted the customer already. If they're just learning about it now, apologize, offer refund for missing item in POS (partial refund), or offer substitute if available.
Customer wants to return something: Most stores handle returns as a separate transaction. Direct them to customer service counter, not the pickup runner. See our BOPIS policy guide for return-at-pickup strategies.
Order not showing in POS: Check internet connection. If order was placed recently, it may take 30-60 seconds to sync. If still missing, search by customer name or order number in the Orders section.
Never launch BOPIS without testing the complete workflow. Here's a systematic test protocol that catches 95% of configuration errors.
Objective: Verify checkout flow and initial notifications work correctly.
Steps:
What to verify:
Objective: Verify POS workflow and "ready" notification.
Steps:
What to verify:
Objective: Verify completion workflow and order closing.
Steps:
What to verify:
Item | Status | Notes |
---|---|---|
Local pickup enabled in Settings | ☐ | Settings → Shipping → Local pickup |
Correct locations selected | ☐ | Only stores with pickup capacity enabled |
Processing time set appropriately | ☐ | Conservative promise (2-4 hours or 24 hours) |
Pickup instructions are clear | ☐ | Parking, contact method, ID requirement, hold time |
Location addresses complete and accurate | ☐ | Settings → Locations, verify full address |
Inventory assigned to pickup locations | ☐ | Check 5-10 products for location stock |
Order confirmation template customized | ☐ | Settings → Notifications → Order confirmation |
"Ready for pickup" template customized | ☐ | Settings → Notifications → Order ready for pickup |
Shopify POS installed and logged in | ☐ | Test on device staff will use |
Staff trained on POS pickup workflow | ☐ | Practice finding orders, marking ready, completing |
Pickup staging area designated | ☐ | Shelves, cubbies, or area with order numbers |
Pickup supplies ready | ☐ | Bags, tape, markers, receipt paper |
Test order placed and fulfilled end-to-end | ☐ | All three test scenarios above completed |
Email notifications received and correct | ☐ | Confirmation + ready notifications checked |
POS order completion works correctly | ☐ | Inventory updates after marking picked up |
Parking/signage in place (if curbside) | ☐ | See our signage templates |
Website banner/announcement ready | ☐ | "Now offering local pickup! Order online, pick up today." |
Policies documented (hold time, ID, returns) | ☐ | See policy guide |
Don't skip items on this checklist. Each one prevents a specific type of customer frustration or operational breakdown.
Stop building everything from scratch. Our BOPIS Holiday Ops Kit includes this complete QA checklist as a printable PDF, plus notification templates, staff training slides, and troubleshooting guides.
You Get:
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Even with perfect configuration, you'll encounter issues. Here are the most common problems and their fixes.
Symptoms: Customers report they don't see local pickup as an option, only shipping.
Causes & Fixes:
Cause 1: Product has no inventory at pickup location.
Fix: Go to the product in admin → Inventory. Verify quantity at your pickup location is greater than zero. Transfer inventory from warehouse if needed.
Cause 2: Location not enabled for pickup.
Fix: Settings → Shipping and delivery → Local pickup → Manage. Verify your location is checked/enabled. Save changes.
Cause 3: Customer's shipping address is outside pickup radius.
Fix: Shopify may not offer pickup if the customer's billing/shipping address is far from your store location. Have customer update their address to something closer (or their actual address) and try again.
Cause 4: Theme customization hiding the option.
Fix: Some heavily customized themes override Shopify's default checkout. Revert theme customizations related to shipping/checkout and test again.
Symptoms: Customer placed a pickup order online but staff can't find it in Shopify POS.
Causes & Fixes:
Cause 1: POS is offline or not synced.
Fix: Check WiFi/cellular connection on POS device. Pull down to refresh the Orders screen manually. Wait 30 seconds and check again.
Cause 2: POS is logged into wrong location.
Fix: Check which location POS is set to (usually in settings/profile in POS app). Switch to the location where pickup was selected.
Cause 3: Order is older and archived.
Fix: Use the search function in POS Orders section. Search by customer name or order number. Older orders may not show in the default "recent" list.
Cause 4: Order is marked as fulfilled already (by mistake).
Fix: Check Shopify admin → Orders. Search for the order number. If it shows as fulfilled/completed, you may need to reopen it or manually coordinate with the customer.
Symptoms: Staff marks order ready in POS but customer doesn't receive notification.
Causes & Fixes:
Cause 1: Customer's email is wrong or bouncing.
Fix: Check order details in admin. Verify email address is correct. Call or text customer to inform them order is ready.
Cause 2: Notification template is disabled.
Fix: Settings → Notifications → Order ready for pickup. Check that it's enabled (toggle should be on). Save if you made changes.
Cause 3: Delayed email delivery.
Fix: Sometimes notifications take 5-10 minutes to send due to email server delays. Wait a bit and check customer's spam folder. For future orders, consider adding SMS notifications.
Cause 4: Wrong action in POS.
Fix: Ensure you're tapping "Mark as ready for pickup" (or similar wording), not "Fulfill" or "Complete." The specific "ready" action triggers the notification.
Symptoms: Customer reports items show "Not available for pickup" or don't appear when pickup is selected.
Causes & Fixes:
Cause 1: No inventory at pickup location.
Fix: Go to product → Inventory in admin. Verify stock at the pickup location. If zero, adjust inventory or transfer from another location.
Cause 2: Product is set to "Continue selling when out of stock."
Fix: This setting can confuse pickup availability logic. Edit the product → Inventory, uncheck "Continue selling when out of stock" for proper pickup availability checking.
Cause 3: Variant-level inventory issue.
Fix: If product has variants (size, color), check inventory for each variant at the pickup location. One out-of-stock variant can make the entire product unavailable for pickup.
Symptoms: You promised 2-hour pickup but it's taking 4+ hours consistently.
Causes & Fixes:
Cause 1: Volume exceeded expectations.
Fix: Go back to Settings → Shipping → Local pickup → Manage. Change processing time to a more conservative promise (4 hours or 24 hours). Immediately announce the change to customers via email and website banner.
Cause 2: Staffing insufficient.
Fix: Add a dedicated picker during peak hours, or batch orders for specific pickup times (e.g., "orders placed by noon ready at 4pm").
Cause 3: Products require more prep than anticipated.
Fix: For complex products (assembly, verification, special packaging), consider extending processing time for those specific items, or set a store-wide longer promise during initial launch.
For deeper operational troubleshooting, see our BOPIS technology stack guide covering POS integrations and system architecture.
Stop piecing together your BOPIS setup. Our BOPIS Holiday Ops Kit includes all the templates, checklists, and training materials you need for a smooth Shopify launch.
Perfect for: Shopify merchants launching pickup for the first time or fixing broken programs
Complete Kit Includes:
Lifetime access • Instant download • 30-day money-back guarantee
This setup guide gives you the technical foundation. For broader operational strategies and tools:
Have questions about your specific Shopify setup? Drop a comment below or share this guide with fellow merchants preparing for holiday pickup.
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