What are SKUs?

SKU stands for "Stock Keeping Unit," and refers to a unique identifier that retailers assign to each of their products. SKUs are used to track inventory, sales, and other important data related to a particular product. Each SKU typically includes a combination of letters and numbers, and can be customized to include information about the product such as color, size, and style.

Why are SKUs important?

SKUs are critical for efficient inventory management. By assigning a unique SKU to each product, retailers can easily track the number of units they have in stock, as well as their sales and profit margins.

SKUs can also be used to track customer behavior. By analyzing which SKUs are selling the most, retailers can identify trends and adjust their inventory accordingly. For example, if a particular SKU is selling out quickly, retailers can order more of that product to meet demand.

In addition, SKUs can help retailers to streamline their operations. By using a barcode scanner to scan each product's SKU, retailers can quickly and accurately record inventory levels and sales data, without the need for manual data entry.

Best practices for creating SKUs

When creating SKUs, it's important to follow some best practices to ensure consistency and accuracy. Here are some tips for creating effective SKUs:

1. Keep it simple: Use a standardized format for SKUs, and avoid using overly complicated codes.
2. Be consistent: Use the same format for all SKUs, and make sure that everyone on your team is using the same conventions.
3. Include important information: Use SKUs to include important information about the product, such as color, size, and style.
4. Use software tools: Use software tools like a product information management (PIM) system to manage your SKUs and ensure consistency.