[Retail to Wholesale] How flexible UoM setup in Odoo powers multi-channel sales

You’re selling the same product to three different customer types : a single-piece buyer at a retail store, a bulk pack buyer at a warehouse and a carton-ordering wholesaler.

One product, three different pricing and quantity expectations.

Managing that manually? That’s a disaster waiting to happen.

Businesses in today’s omnichannel world need more than just a solid product –  they need systems that understand how that product is sold in varying formats, across different buyer types. 

That’s where a flexible Unit of Measure (UoM) strategy comes into play. 

And if you’re an Odoo user, the Multi Sales UoM module might just be your secret weapon.

Let’s explore how dynamic UoM handling is the missing link in most retail-to-wholesale transitions.

The Rise of Multi-Channel Sales in Modern Commerce

Retailers are now wholesalers. D2C brands are scaling into B2B. Even traditional manufacturers are setting up eCommerce storefronts. The lines are blurring — and so are the expectations.

If your ERP can’t flex across channels – you’ll bleed margin, confuse customers and overwork your sales team.

What Makes UoM a Dealbreaker in Multi-Channel Operations?

Imagine selling chocolate bars. Retail customers buy single bars. Shops order boxes of 10. Distributors request cartons of 12 boxes.

Now do that math – at scale – with multiple SKUs and markets.
One mistake in conversion or pricing,and :

Inventory reports become lies

Profit margins erode silently

Your customer gets frustrated and moves on

UoM isn’t just about math. It’s about business truth.
One Product, Many Units  [A Real-World Breakdown]

Let’s look at orange juice sales as a relatable example –

Base Unit : 1 bottle

Intermediate Unit : 1 pack = 6 bottles

Bulk Unit : 1 carton = 12 packs = 72 bottles
Here’s the issue. Most systems only allow one sales UoM at a time. That’s great until you have different buyers wanting different formats -— at accurate prices.

Bridging Retail and Wholesale with Odoo’s Multi Sales UoM

The Multi Sales UoM module v18 lets you assign two alternate sales UoMs in addition to the standard unit.

So, a fabric sold in :

Meters (Standard)

Feet (Sales UoM 1)

Inches (Sales UoM 2)

…gets its quantity and price converted in real-time, based on defined ratios. You input one quantity – and get values updated instantly in the others.

Consumer Surplus and Pricing Precision | Why UoM Configuration Matters

In economics, consumer surplus is the extra value a buyer gets when they pay less than what they’re willing to pay. If you sell smartly – that surplus builds customer loyalty and satisfaction.

Now flip that – if your UoM config causes pricing mismatches, you either :

Leave value on the table, confuse your customers or kill your margins

With accurate UoM-based pricing :

Retail buyers feel like they’re getting a fair deal

Wholesale buyers see predictable scaling

Your margins stay clean and healthy

It’s not just accounting – it’s psychology and economics in action.

Category Locking, Access Control  and the Integrity of Data

Ever had someone mess up a unit mid-transaction?

The Multi Sales UoM module prevents this with :

✅ UoM Category Restrictions : Can’t mix weight with volume, length with pieces.

✅ Access Control : Only authorized users can edit sales UoMs.

✅ Auto-defaulting : Sales UoMs are auto-assigned from the standard UoM, reducing clicks and errors.

The result? Clean transactions. Accurate reports. Peace of mind.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Let Your System Do the Math

Whether you’re scaling from Shopify to B2B orders or juggling retail and wholesale in one backend — the truth is simple :

Your product isn’t the same across every channel.

But your ERP should make it feel like it is.

With the right UoM configuration — especially using the Multi Sales UoM module in Odoo 18 — you can :

Adapt fast, price smart, sell more, serve better!

To learn more about our Multi Sales UoM app, please connect with our Odoo experts at Pragmatic Techsoft and book a free consultation call / request for a free demo.
No commitment – just solutions and how this best can help you.

Pragmatic’s UoM module automates all your unit conversions – so you can focus on operations, not calculations.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use different UoMs for online and offline channels in Odoo?

Yes. With the Multi Sales UoM module, you can configure different UoMs and have them sync dynamically, making multi-channel sales seamless.

2. Does this module support real-time conversion of prices and quantities?

Absolutely. The conversion is done using predefined ratios between standard and sales UoMs.

3. Will this work with product variants like sizes or colors?

Yes. You can define unique UoMs for each variant if needed.

4. Is it compatible with Odoo eCommerce and POS?

Yes. It integrates smoothly with Odoo’s eCommerce and POS modules, allowing customers to view and select products in their preferred units.

5. What industries benefit most from this setup?

Industries dealing in length, weight, volume or multi-pack retailing — such as textiles, chemicals, food & beverage and plastics — gain massive value from this configuration.