Update existing products in store with update feed
The Update Feed synchronizes existing store products with data from your supplier feed file. It automatically updates key product details—such as inventory quantities, pricing, descriptions, and variants—ensuring your store catalog stays accurate and aligned with live supplier availability.
Watch the Update Feed Walkthrough
Watch this step-by-step video guide to learn how to create and configure an Update Feed in Stock Sync.
How to Set Up an Update Feed
Go to App → Create new feed → Update existing products in the store
- Start Feed Creation: Click Update existing products in the store to begin setting up your feed.
- Select Connection Source: Search for or select the connection method where your supplier file is hosted (e.g., FTP, Google Sheets, Dropbox, or a direct supplier template).
- Configure File Details (Step 1): Enter your file source credentials, file format, and retrieval schedule.
- Map Product Identifiers (Step 2): Match your unique product identifier (such as SKU or barcode) and map the store fields you want to update.
- Review and Finish: Review your settings, remove any mapped fields you do not wish to update, and run the feed.
Update Feed Smart Settings / Detailed Breakdown
1. Product Identifier Matching
Update Feeds locate products in your store by comparing a key field in your supplier file with an existing attribute in your catalog.
Matching Identifier | Source Requirement | Store Requirement | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supplier SKU column | Product variant SKU in store | Primary unique identifier used to locate existing products |
| Barcode column in feed | Barcode field in store | Secondary identifier for stores with UPC/EAN tracking |
| Store ID or URL handle | Shopify Handle or ID | Exact match for fixed product records |
2. Matching Column Selection
In Step 2: Matching Column, you choose exactly which attributes the feed is permitted to update.
Mapped Field | Function | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|
Quantity / Stock | Updates variant inventory levels | Map to supplier stock column to keep inventory synchronized |
Price | Updates current retail selling prices | Map to supplier price column; apply markup or price rules if needed |
Compare-at Price | Updates strikethrough/original prices | Map to RRP/MSRP columns to show promotional discounts |
Description | Updates product body HTML | Remove field from mapping if you write custom product descriptions |
Key Rules & Technical Details
- Prerequisite Validation: Ensure all products to be updated already exist in your store with correct matching identifiers (SKUs, barcodes, or IDs).
- Scope Restriction: Update Feeds cannot create new products; items present in the feed but missing from the store are skipped. To create new products, use an Add Feed.
- Field Overwrite Safeguard: Every field mapped in Step 2: Matching Column will overwrite current store data during sync execution.
Troubleshooting Steps
- Issue: Products in the store are not updating after the feed runs → Solution: Go to Feed Settings → Step 2: Matching Column and verify that the unique identifier (e.g., SKU) is mapped to the correct column and matches your store values exactly.
- Issue: Unintended product details are overwritten → Solution: Open Matching Column (Step 2) and remove the mapping for any store attribute you want to manage manually.
- Issue: Connection fails to retrieve the supplier file → Solution: Re-verify your connection credentials, file path, and URL permissions in Step 1: Feed Manager
Good Articles to Continue
- Matching Column (Step 2) Overview → Comprehensive guide on mapping fields, using column indices, and configuring field rules.
- How to Set Up an Add Feed → Learn how to import brand new products and variants into your store from supplier files.
- Auto Clear Discontinued Products Setup → Automatically archive or remove store products that disappear from your Update Feed.
Updated on: 03/11/2026
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