Integrating partner Shopify stores into my third-party marketplace by using collaborator access and APIs to sync their inventory into my own Shopify storefront

Partner Discussions
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My store is a third party marketplace. So shopify brands have given us permission to sell their items for them on our store. We plan to do this by integrating into their backend, retrieving their API and connecting it to our store so that we get access to their inventory but through our own shopify store front. I just wanted more clarity on how I would go about this process and retrieve our partnered brands store data. They have given us they’re collaborator codes already too. TIA!

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Hey @Josh_Lever

What you’re describing sounds like you want to build what we call a sales channel app! This lets you connect multiple stores to your marketplace and sync their inventory.

Since you’ll be integrating with multiple merchant stores to sell their products, you’ll want to check out the sales channel implementation guide. This covers exactly what you’re building. Keep in mind that there are specific requirements for sales channel apps that you’ll need to follow since you’ll be integrating with merchant stores.

Hope that helps!

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Thank you very much, Kyle! - it does. Just wondering, so i’ve gone in an created an app to be used as a sales channel, so I now need to submit this app for review? My intention is to facilitate sales on my marketplace on behalf of other Shopify brands. All I need really is access to their collections, so I can make sales live..and then when I get orders, orders will pop up in their Shopify like any other order.

Thanks so much for your clarification!

Josh

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Hey Josh,

Taking a step back from my initial post, I think the public app route would depend a little bit on the type of marketplace you are offering.

Generally speaking, if this is a marketplace/sales channel where you’re promoting it as another channel for merchants to sell on, then that should be built as a public app.

A channel is an app that allows merchants to reach new customers on platforms outside of their online store to make a sale. You can build sales channel apps to connect merchants to customers on marketplaces, advertising platforms, and more.

On the other hand, if this is more of a dropshipping kind of set up, where you are sourcing products to sell on your own store, then a custom app may be sufficient.

Do make sure you’re reviewing our API terms, Partner terms and Shopify Terms of service though, as there are some provisions on channels and distribution that could be relevant.