Streamline Your Shopify Picking Process: Sorting Pick Lists by SKU

The Shopify Picking Problem: Why Order Sequence Isn't Always Best

Hey everyone! Ever find yourself zig-zagging across your warehouse because your pick list follows the customer's order instead of a logical item sequence? You're not alone! A user named Whepwhep1 brought up a common frustration in the Shopify Community: the need to rearrange pick lists by SKU for more efficient fulfillment.

Whepwhep1 explained that the default order – the sequence in which customers add items to their cart – isn't ideal for warehouse picking. Sorting by SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) in alphanumeric order would save time and reduce errors. They were looking for a way to make this happen without adding a bunch of extra apps they didn't need or resorting to manual Excel sorting.

Community Solutions: Apps, Workarounds, and Feature Requests

The community jumped in with some helpful suggestions, highlighting different approaches to tackle this picking problem.

Option 1: Shopify Apps to the Rescue

Several members suggested using Shopify apps to automate the sorting process. JoesIdeas and haidernfactor both recommended Order Automator, noting its ability to customize order notifications and packing slips with line items in alphabetical order. It sounds like a pretty comprehensive solution if you're looking for more than just SKU sorting.

tim_1 pointed out that the "Order Printer" app already includes this functionality. Here are a couple of screenshots they shared:

Option 2: DIY with Custom Notifications and Shopify Flow

For the more technically inclined, PaulNewton suggested a DIY approach using custom staff notification templates, Shopify Flow, and custom fulfillment services. This involves:

• Creating a custom notification template that pulls the order information and sorts it by SKU.
• Using Shopify Flow to trigger the notification when an order is placed.
• Sending the notification to a print server for automatic printout.

Paul also mentioned using Shopify's AI sidekick to generate a single-page app, but cautioned that it might be a bit advanced for this particular task. Still, it's an interesting option to explore for other custom solutions!

Here are some helpful links Paul provided:

• Shopify Sidekick for App Generation
• Staff Notifications
• Shopify Flow - Send Email Action
• Custom Fulfillment Services
• Email Template Editor

Option 3: The Feature Request Route

blackoutcurtainsuae and Coding-with-Jan both echoed Whepwhep1's sentiment: a built-in option to sort pick lists by SKU would be incredibly helpful. Coding-with-Jan recommended contacting Shopify support to request this feature, as it helps prioritize future development.

Which Solution is Right for You?

The best approach depends on your technical skills, budget, and the complexity of your fulfillment process. If you need a quick and easy solution, an app like Order Printer might be the way to go. If you're comfortable with a bit of coding, the Shopify Flow approach offers more customization. And if you believe Shopify should offer this feature natively, make your voice heard and submit a feature request!

It's great to see the Shopify community coming together to solve these kinds of challenges. Whether it's through app suggestions, DIY solutions, or feature requests, there's always a way to improve your workflow and make your store more efficient. Thanks to everyone who contributed to the discussion!