Lightspeed Retail to Shopify POS: what maps and what does not

How the catalog maps

Lightspeed stores often use matrix items (one product in many sizes and colors) and custom fields. In Shopify, those become products with variants and, for extra data, metafields. Two rules shape the mapping:

• Shopify allows three product options per product (for example size, color, material). A Lightspeed item with more option types needs restructuring before import.
• Custom fields that staff use at the counter (supplier codes, bin locations) need a home: a metafield, the SKU, or the barcode field.

Stock by location

Shopify POS tracks inventory per location. We import products once, then load each location's quantities, then confirm with a physical count on cutover night. Counting is the step that makes the new numbers trustworthy.

Customers and history

Customer records move by CSV (the export usually needs reformatting). Past sales can be imported as historical orders with a migration app, but many stores simply keep their Lightspeed reports for history and start fresh sales records on Shopify.

Hardware

Shopify's Lightspeed migration guide says some of your hardware might be compatible and refers to the supported-hardware list. Receipt printers, scanners and cash drawers are the usual candidates; card readers for Shopify Payments are Shopify's own. We check each model before you buy.

Order of work

1. Catalog audit and mapping plan.
2. Products and variants imported to Shopify.
3. Locations, staff roles and POS settings configured.
4. Stock loaded per location.
5. Staff trained by role.
6. Cutover on your slowest day, with a count the night before.