Stock-Keeping Unit facts for kids

SKU (pronounced "skew") stands for Stock-Keeping Unit. It's like a special code or barcode you see on almost everything sold in stores. This code helps stores keep track of their products. When you go to the check-out, a laser scanner reads the SKU to quickly find the price of an item. It also helps stores know what they have in stock and what they need to order more of.

What is a Barcode?

A barcode is a visual pattern of black and white bars. These bars represent numbers and letters that a computer can read. Think of it as a secret message for machines! Each product has its own unique SKU barcode. This makes it easy for stores to manage thousands of different items.

How Barcodes Work

Barcodes are made of vertical lines that are either thick or thin. A scanner shines a laser light over these bars. The scanner then reads the pattern of light and dark areas. This pattern is translated into numbers.

One cool thing about barcodes is that scanners can read them even if they are upside down or backwards. This is because the pattern is designed to be read from either direction. This makes checking out much faster! You can also usually see the numbers printed right below the bars, so people can read the SKU too.

What the Numbers Mean

An SKU number usually has two main parts. The first part often tells you who made the product. This is like a special ID for the company. The second part identifies the specific product itself. For example, it might tell you if it's a small, medium, or large size, or a certain color.

Why SKUs are Important

SKUs are super important for businesses. They help with many things:

• Tracking Stock: Stores know exactly how many of each item they have.
• Faster Checkout: Scanners read prices quickly, making lines shorter.
• Managing Sales: Businesses can see which items are selling well and which are not.
• Organizing Warehouses: It helps keep products organized in big storage areas.
• Preventing Theft: It helps track items and reduces errors.

See also

• In Spanish: Stock-keeping unit para niños