SKU
- Short for stock keeping unit: a unique code that identifies one specific product, or one specific variant of a product, in your stock records.
- A SKU is for your own use, unlike a barcode, which is a worldwide standard. It lets you, your website, your warehouse and your accounts package all agree on exactly which item they mean. A sensible, consistent scheme makes everything from picking orders to importing stock files simpler.
Example The order listed SKU TS-BLU-M, which any packer would read as blue, medium.
- TS the product
a T-shirt - BLU the colour
blue - M the size
medium
Why SKUs matter
Every stock system, courier label, picking list and marketplace feed needs one unambiguous way to say which item is which. Product names change and get duplicated; a SKU does not. Without them mistakes creep in: the wrong size goes out, or stock is taken off the wrong item. They matter even more once you have product variants and stock sync to look after.
How to build a sensible scheme
Keep codes short, readable and consistent. A common pattern is a product code followed by the options, such as TS-BLU-M for a blue medium T-shirt. Avoid spaces and special characters, never reuse a code for a different product, and do not tie your codes to a supplier’s, which can change. Be careful with codes that begin with a zero, because spreadsheets often strip it.
SKU, barcode or part number?
A barcode (EAN or GTIN) is a worldwide product identifier printed on the pack, and the manufacturer’s part number (MPN) identifies the product in the maker’s own catalogue. Your SKU is yours alone. One product can carry all three, and Google Shopping and the marketplaces often ask for the barcode or part number as well, usually through a product feed.
A common question
Do I need SKUs if I only sell a few products? It is far easier to start with them than to add them later. Even ten products with a few sizes each are quicker to manage when every item has a clear code.
See also Product variant Stock sync Product feed