FLUF / THE SELLER REFERENCE
SKU meaning: stock keeping units, examples and barcodes
Stock keeping unit: a code a seller assigns to identify and track a particular product or variant.
How does a SKU work?
A SKU connects a physical item to its stock record. It can appear on a storage label, a picking list and a sales report. It is chosen by the business, so there is no universal code format that every seller must use. What matters is that the code is stable and identifies the intended item without ambiguity.
An example for one-off and repeatable stock
For a unique second-hand jacket, JKT-0042 can identify that individual item. For a repeatable product, MUG-BLU-300 can identify all identical blue 300 ml mugs, with quantity stored separately. The next green mug needs a different SKU. Do not create a new SKU merely because the same blue mug is listed on another channel: keep the physical inventory identity consistent.
SKU, barcode, GTIN and serial number
A SKU is your internal reference. A GTIN is a standard product identifier shared across businesses. A barcode is a machine-readable carrier of data; it can represent different kinds of identifiers. A serial number distinguishes one individual unit from another of the same model. These can coexist, and a marketplace may provide separate fields for them.
What makes a useful SKU system?
Choose a format your team can read, search and print. Avoid codes that differ only by easily confused characters. Keep the code separate from a changeable selling price or shelf location. Preserve leading zeroes in spreadsheets. Before importing stock, check that two unrelated products have not been assigned the same code.
Does matching a SKU automatically synchronise listings?
No. A matching code helps identify stock but does not itself connect marketplaces. Existing listings still need the appropriate links and a stock-management process. Check the relevant channel setup and confirm whether you are dealing with a unique item or a quantity of interchangeable units.
| Term | What it identifies or carries |
|---|---|
| SKU | Your own stock record |
| GTIN | A trade item across businesses |
| Serial number | One individual unit |
| Barcode | A machine-readable representation of data |
Put it into practice
Explore related product and stock guidance. For selling across marketplaces, see FLUF Connect crosslisting and current plans and pricing.
Related terms
Reference
Primary reference: Shopify. The examples on this page are illustrative, not customer results or universal benchmarks.
