# Add a store

> Add one or many stores to HQ Admin from Google Places, then give each a customer-facing name and a unique store code.

How-to guide · Stores & Retail Data › HQ Admin · Last updated 19 September 2026

URL: https://personalisationhub.com/support-centre/stores-and-retail-data/add-a-store/

Adding a store creates the record that displays, staff users, queueing, appointments and campaigns are attached to. You search Google Places for your brand, pick the locations to add, then tidy each store's name and give it a unique store code. Allow about 2 minutes per store.

## Before you begin

- An HQ Admin account with the Admin role.
- Your organisation's Google Maps API key saved under **Platform Admin → Enabled Features → Google Maps/Places**. See [Connect the platform to Google Maps / Places](https://personalisationhub.com/support-centre/integrations-and-3rd-party-guides/connect-the-platform-to-google-maps-places/).
- Your list of store codes. Every store needs a unique code before you can [upload Retail Admin users](https://personalisationhub.com/support-centre/company-set-up-and-users/upload-retail-admin-users-for-your-stores/) for it.

## Find and add the stores

1. In the left navigation, select **Stores / Branches**.
2. Select **Add New Store(s)**.
3. Search for your brand name. Google Places returns the matching locations. On first login the brand name you entered during installation is already shown, so its locations are listed straight away.
4. Select each location you want to add. If a location is not listed, add it manually instead.
5. Confirm the selection. The new stores appear in the **Stores / Branches** list.

## Set the name and store code for each store

1. In the **Stores / Branches** list, select the store name. The store opens on the **Store Details** tab.
2. In **Store Name**, remove the brand name so only the location remains, for example `Warriewood` rather than `${BrandName} Warriewood`. The brand is already held in **Brand Name**.
3. In **Store Code**, enter your organisation's unique code for the store, for example `NSW-004`. If you do not have a code scheme, select **Auto-Generate Code**.
4. Check **Business Categories**, the address fields and **Phone Number**.
5. Select **Save Changes**.
6. Repeat for every store you added.

> **Important:** Store codes must be unique and must match the codes you use in your staff-user upload and in any connected system such as Google Business Profile. Decide the scheme before you add stores; changing codes later means updating every connected system too.

> **Note:** For production, connect Google Business Profile as well. Once a store's **Synchronise Store/Opening-Hour Data with Google Business Profiles** feature is on, store data updated in the platform is pushed to Google Maps and Places automatically. See [Connect the platform to Google Business Profile](https://personalisationhub.com/support-centre/integrations-and-3rd-party-guides/connect-the-platform-to-google-business-profile/).

## Verify it worked

The **Stores / Branches** list shows each new store with its **Store Code**, **Brand Name**, **Store Name** and **State**, and the store count at the top of the page has increased.

## Troubleshooting

### The search returns no locations

**Cause.** The Google Maps API key is missing, invalid or not enabled for the Places API, or the brand name does not match the Google Business listing.

**Fix.** Check the key under **Platform Admin → Enabled Features → Google Maps/Places**, then search again with the name exactly as it appears on Google Maps. See [Adding a store finds nothing in Google Places](https://personalisationhub.com/support-centre/troubleshooting/adding-a-store-finds-nothing-in-google-places/).

## Next step

[Update a store code](https://personalisationhub.com/support-centre/stores-and-retail-data/update-a-store-code/) if a code was generated automatically and needs to match your own scheme, otherwise [Upload Retail Admin users for your stores](https://personalisationhub.com/support-centre/company-set-up-and-users/upload-retail-admin-users-for-your-stores/).

## Related

- [How store data works in Personalisation Hub](https://personalisationhub.com/support-centre/stores-and-retail-data/how-store-data-works-in-personalisation-hub/)
- [Step 6 — Add your stores from Google Places](https://personalisationhub.com/support-centre/platform-installation/step-6-add-your-stores-from-google-places/)
- [Add or update a store's address](https://personalisationhub.com/support-centre/stores-and-retail-data/add-or-update-a-stores-address/)
- [Delete a store](https://personalisationhub.com/support-centre/stores-and-retail-data/delete-a-store/)