Short answer: Yes.
Luminous does push kit inventory to sales channels like Shopify, even though kits are virtual products inside Luminous.
This article explains why, how it works, and how kit inventory differs from inventory valuation.
Overview
In Luminous, a kit (also called a bundle) is a virtual product for cost and valuation purposes, but it is still a sellable SKU that syncs inventory to sales channels.
This distinction is important:
Virtual refers to cost, valuation, and physical stock
Sellable refers to order flow and inventory availability
A kit can be virtual and still push inventory to Shopify.
Key Concept: Two Different Meanings of “Inventory”
When talking about kits, there are two different concepts that often get confused:
1. Inventory Valuation (Accounting)
Used for balance sheets and COGS
Kits do not appear here
Only component SKUs hold cost and value
2. Inventory Availability (Selling)
Used to decide how many units can be sold
Kits do push inventory to sales channels
Inventory is calculated from component availability
These are separate systems and are handled differently by design.
Do Kits Push Inventory to Shopify?
✅ Yes — Kits Push Available Inventory to Sales Channels
Even though kits are virtual in Luminous:
A kit SKU is linked to a single Shopify product/variant
Luminous calculates how many kits are sellable based on component stock
That calculated quantity is pushed to Shopify
Why this is necessary:
Shopify (and other sales channels) require a single inventory number for each listing. Since customers buy the kit as one product, Luminous must publish an available quantity for that kit SKU.
How Kit Inventory Is Calculated
Kit inventory is derived, not stored.
Example:
Kit = 2 × Item A + 1 × Item B
Item A stock = 10
Item B stock = 4
👉 Sellable kit quantity = 4
(Item B is the limiting component)
This calculated quantity is what Luminous pushes to Shopify.
What Happens When a Kit Is Sold?
When a kit order comes in from Shopify:
Shopify sends the order for the kit SKU
Luminous explodes the kit into its component SKUs
Inventory is deducted from the components
No inventory is deducted from the kit itself (because it’s virtual)
This ensures:
Accurate component-level inventory
Correct fulfillment and picking
Proper COGS on components (not the kit)
Why Kits Do NOT Appear in Inventory Valuation (But Still Sync Stock)
This is intentional and correct behavior.
Kits:
❌ Do not hold cost
❌ Do not have cost layers
❌ Do not appear in inventory valuation reports
But:
✅ Do represent a sellable product
✅ Do need an available quantity for sales channels
✅ Do push inventory availability to Shopify
Valuation logic ≠ selling logic
Common Misunderstanding to Avoid
“If kits are virtual, they must not sync inventory.”
This is incorrect.
A more accurate statement is:
“Kits are virtual for valuation, but real for selling.”
How This Differs From Pre-Assembled Products (BOM + Assembly)
If you want a product that:
Holds its own cost
Appears in valuation reports
Represents physical, pre-built inventory
You must use:
A finished-good SKU
A BOM
The assembly workflow
Those finished goods:
Push inventory to Shopify
Appear in valuation
Carry their own cost
Kits do not do this.
Summary
✅ Kits do push inventory to Shopify and other sales channels
❌ Kits do not appear in inventory valuation reports
Inventory pushed to Shopify is calculated from component availability
Kits are virtual for cost, not for selling
This behavior is intentional and required for accurate order flow