diff --git a/constructor/shar.py b/constructor/shar.py
index 8475fca38..745f95c61 100644
--- a/constructor/shar.py
+++ b/constructor/shar.py
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ def create(info, verbose=False):
                 "pkgs/%s.sh" % key,
                 filter=make_executable if has_shebang(info[key]) else None,
             )
-    cache_dir = join(tmp_dir, "cache")
+    cache_dir = join(tmp_dir, "pkgs", "cache")
     if isdir(cache_dir):
         for cf in os.listdir(cache_dir):
             if cf.endswith(".json"):
diff --git a/news/1121-repodata-cache b/news/1121-repodata-cache
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a835cea27
--- /dev/null
+++ b/news/1121-repodata-cache
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+### Enhancements
+
+* <news item>
+
+### Bug fixes
+
+* Ensure cached repodata files are shipped in SH installers. (#1119 via #1121).
+
+### Deprecations
+
+* <news item>
+
+### Docs
+
+* <news item>
+
+### Other
+
+* <news item>
diff --git a/tests/test_examples.py b/tests/test_examples.py
index a2ae8ad85..3fc38104f 100644
--- a/tests/test_examples.py
+++ b/tests/test_examples.py
@@ -547,6 +547,9 @@ def test_example_miniforge(tmp_path, request, example):
                 check_sentinels=installer.suffix != ".pkg",
                 uninstall=False,
             )
+            # Check that key metadata files are in place
+            assert install_dir.glob("conda-meta/*.json")
+            assert install_dir.glob("pkgs/cache/*.json")  # enables offline installs
             if installer.suffix == ".pkg" and ON_CI:
                 basename = "Miniforge3" if example == "miniforge" else "Miniforge3-mamba2"
                 _sentinel_file_checks(input_path, Path(os.environ["HOME"]) / basename)