What is the difference between UPC code and SKU?
To enable the effective sale of items on PivoHub, it is essential to provide basic information that helps each party work efficiently. This includes details about the products, such as descriptions, pricing, and availability, as well as any relevant compliance information, especially when dealing with regulated items like alcohol or food products. This foundational data ensures clarity and facilitates smoother transactions between buyers and suppliers on the platform.
UPC or Universal Product Code
The UPC (Universal Product Code) is a unique barcode that your customers will use to scan your items. It must be unique for each format and packaging. UPC codes are not internal and must be obtained from an official organization, such as GS1. These codes enable your customers to quickly add your products to their inventory.
Why is it important?: UPC codes facilitate inventory management and improve product traceability.
How to add them?: Access your account, select the relevant products, and enter the UPC and Pack UPC codes in the designated fields.
SKU, or Stock Keeping Unit
The term "SKU" stands for "Stock Keeping Unit." It refers to a unique alphanumeric code assigned internally to each product or service. This code helps facilitate various aspects of business operations, including:
For a detailed overview of SKUs, their importance, and best practices for using them, you can explore resources that discuss inventory management strategies and the role of SKUs in businesses. For instance, the Investopedia page on SKUs provides a comprehensive explanation.
Unique Identification: Each SKU is unique and allows for the distinction of a specific product among other similar products. For example, two beers in different formats will have different SKUs.
Inventory Management: SKUs help businesses track stock levels, identify products that sell well or poorly, and manage replenishments.
Billing and Inventory: SKUs can be used in point-of-sale (POS) systems and inventory management software to record sales and update inventories in real-time.
E-commerce: In online commerce, SKUs are essential to ensure that the correct products are displayed, ordered, and shipped. All e-commerce platforms assign an SKU to every product sold. If it’s missing, the platform will create a new one. However, to facilitate the operations of your retailers, a good practice is to share your SKU with them.
Unlike the UPC code, the SKU is not standardized by an external organization. It is an internal tool used by each company to manage its inventory. Sharing the SKU provides an additional means of ensuring a satisfactory level of control over exchanged products.
It’s important to regularly update your products! This not only ensures quality for retailers but also saves time and helps identify any data entry errors on your part. Maintaining a complete and dynamic catalog is an effective way to enhance your business’s visibility.