SKU: The Essential Legal Definition and Its Role in Retail

Definition & Meaning

An SKU, or stock keeping unit, is a unique identifier assigned to a product for tracking and inventory management. This code can consist of both letters and numbers, allowing retailers to efficiently manage their stock and assist customers in identifying specific items. Customers may need to reference the SKU when ordering products to ensure they receive the correct item.

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Real-world examples

Here are a couple of examples of abatement:

  • A clothing retailer assigns the SKU "TSHIRT123" to a specific t-shirt, allowing customers to easily reference it when making a purchase.
  • A bookstore uses the SKU "BOOK456" for a particular title, ensuring that staff can quickly locate it in inventory. (hypothetical example)

Comparison with related terms

Term Definition Key Differences
SKU A unique code for product identification. Used primarily for inventory management.
UPC A universal product code used for retail scanning. Standardized barcode format, not unique to retailers.
EAN An international standard for product identification. Similar to UPC but used globally, often longer.

What to do if this term applies to you

If you need to manage inventory or order products using SKUs, ensure you understand how to reference them correctly. For assistance, consider using legal templates from US Legal Forms to create necessary documents related to inventory management or sales contracts. If your situation is complex, seeking advice from a legal professional may be beneficial.

Quick facts

Attribute Details
Typical Use Retail and inventory management
Format Combination of letters and numbers
Purpose Product identification and tracking

Key takeaways

Frequently asked questions

SKU stands for stock keeping unit.