Networks
Build a multi-vendor marketplace by grouping multiple Storefront stores into a Network — shared payment gateways, notification channels, and a single customer-facing app.
Networks
A Network is a collection of Storefront stores grouped into a single marketplace. Networks are the right architecture when you are building a platform that hosts multiple independent merchants — food delivery apps, local marketplace aggregators, multi-brand parent companies.
If you are running a single brand, you don't need a network — see Stores.
What a Network Provides
| Capability | Notes |
|---|---|
| Aggregated catalog | Customers browse member stores and check out from one of them |
| Shared payment gateways | Configure Stripe, QPay, Braintree once at the network level instead of per-store |
| Shared notification channels | One set of APNs/FCM channels services every store in the network |
| Network categories | Tag member stores ("Pizza", "Sushi") for navigation in your customer app |
| Multi-cart checkout | Optional — let one cart span multiple stores; produces one Fleet-Ops order per store |
| Network-wide reviews | Optional — enable customer reviews on stores and products in the network |
| Network API key | One network_* key fetches the entire marketplace |
Stores belong to networks via a join with optional category assignment, and a single store can belong to multiple networks.
Creating a Network
Navigate to Storefront → Networks and click New Network.
Enter the Name, Description, and Currency.
Click Save. The network is created and assigned a unique network_* API key.
After creation, open the network's settings to fill in branding (logo, backdrop), contact info, social handles, and the toggles in Network Settings.
Adding Stores to a Network
Open the network and click the Stores tab.
Click Add Store.
Search for and select the stores to add. Optionally assign each store a Network Category (e.g., "Pizza", "Sushi") to group them in your customer app.
Click Save.
Stores can belong to multiple networks. When a customer browses a network, only stores that are currently online and within delivery range appear.
Inviting Stores to Join
If you don't operate the stores directly, send a shareable join link:
Open the network → Stores tab and click Share Network.
Enter the recipient's email addresses.
Click Send. Each recipient receives a link to join the network with an existing store.
A shareable join link is also available via the network's settings (options.shareable_link_enabled) — anyone with the link can join the network without an explicit invitation.
Network Settings
Open the network and scroll to General Network Settings. All toggles below (except online, order_config_uuid, and pod_method) are stored on the network's options JSON column.
| Setting | Key | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Online | online | Master switch — when off, the network is hidden from public discovery |
| Default Order Config | order_config_uuid | Fleet-Ops order configuration applied to orders created within this network |
| Enable tax | options.tax_enabled | Apply a tax line item to checkouts. When on, set Tax percentage in options.tax_percentage |
| Enable minimum order amount | options.required_checkout_min | Block checkout below a threshold. When on, set the value in options.required_checkout_min_amount |
| Auto-accept incoming orders | options.auto_accept_orders | Skip the manual accept step — incoming orders move straight to the next status |
| Auto-dispatch orders | options.auto_dispatch | Automatically dispatch accepted orders to Fleet-Ops without manual intervention |
| Require proof of delivery | options.require_pod | Drivers must capture POD on completion. Method is set in pod_method (scan, signature, photo, or sms) |
| Enable cash on delivery | options.cod_enabled | Show Cash on Delivery as a payment option at checkout |
| Enable order pickup | options.pickup_enabled | Allow customers to choose pickup instead of delivery |
| Enable tips | options.tips_enabled | Show a tip field at checkout |
| Enable delivery tips | options.delivery_tips_enabled | Allow customers to add a separate tip for the driver after delivery |
| Enable multi-cart checkout | options.multi_cart_enabled | Allow a single cart to contain items from multiple stores in the network — see Multi-Store Cart Behavior |
| Enable user reviews | options.reviews_enabled | Allow customers to submit reviews on stores and products in the network |
Networks also have:
- Alert recipients — under the Alerts panel, select users notified for new orders (
alertable.for_new_order) - Contact & Social — phone, email, website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
- Branding — logo and backdrop images
- Tags — freeform tags for filtering
Multi-cart checkout and user reviews are network-only settings — they do not exist on standalone stores.
Network API Key
Each network is assigned a unique key prefixed with network_ — find it in Storefront → Settings → API. Use it as the bearer token from your customer app to fetch the entire marketplace catalog.
GET /storefront/v1/stores
Authorization: Bearer network_a1b2c3d4...See API Settings for the full authentication model.
Deleting a Network
Open the network in the console and click Delete. Member stores are not deleted — they remain available as standalone stores or can be re-attached to another network. Historical orders associated with the network are retained.
Next Steps
- Stores — manage individual stores within your network
- Payment Gateways — configure shared gateways at the network level
- Notifications — set up shared APNs and FCM channels
- Cart — how multi-store carts and checkout work