Thrive allows you to set expiration dates for each inventory lot to help you manage perishable products. Expiration tracking is configured on a per-variant basis and is disabled by default. To learn more about lots, start here.

This feature helps you prevent selling expired products, reduce waste, and track inventory loss from spoilage.

To start tracking expired inventory, click on the product name from your inventory list, then click the gear icon next to the track inventory toggle, and finally click “Configure expiration” for each applicable variant:

Simply enable Expiration and set the default time period for the default shelf life (in days).

Days are counted from the moment the inventory is received into Thrive and can be edited manually for each shipment.

You’ll notice that your product now has an Expiration column in its lot history:

Going forward, new inventory received will be assigned an expiration date automatically based on the default number of days chosen.

To view and edit existing lots, click on the Inventory History.

To adjust the expiration date, go the the catalog tab>products tab, click on the variant's lot cost in blue, click “Edit” in the top right of the side panel, and then choose a new expiration date by clicking on the date in the expiration column:

NOTE: the expiration date must be enabled first in the product details page. Once the expiration date and shelf life are added, then all future lots will automatically have an expiration date configured.

There is no way to bulk edit expiration dates at this time.

For information on what's included in the Expiring Inventory Report, please click here:

Thrive uses your inventory settings to determine which lots are deducted first when products sell.

Lots without an expiration date will always be deducted first, followed by lots with an expiration date. In your account settings, Inventory Settings / “Inventory behavior” dictates protocol for the former set, and “Inventory with expiration dates behavior” controls the latter.

Our recommended default is pictured above: “First in, first out” and “First expiring, first out”.

Inventory with expiration dates behavior

If you have to dispose of a lot that has expired or spoiled, you have a few options which are outlined in this article:

Enable expiration for all perishable products: Don't wait until you have waste issues! Configure expiration tracking from the start for any products with limited shelf life.

Use realistic shelf life periods: Set conservative shelf life days that account for both manufacturer dates and your own quality standards.

Run Expiring Inventory Reports regularly: Check weekly or bi-weekly to identify products nearing expiration so you can take action (markdowns, donations, etc.).

Use FEFO for perishable items: Set your inventory behavior to "First expiring, first out" to automatically prioritize selling products closest to expiration.

Edit dates when needed: If a specific shipment arrives with a different expiration than your default, manually adjust the lot's expiration date.

Track waste consistently: Always record expired or spoiled inventory properly so your reports accurately reflect true inventory loss.