In This Article
Introduction to Seller SKU In Amazon
What Is an SKU?
Seller SKU is One essential component of inventory control Which is also the stock keeping unit. Consider it the distinct genetic composition of a product, a code that sets it apart from every other item in your collection. Let’s look at the basics:
Definition and Purpose
- A special alphanumeric code associated with a specific product variety is known as an SKU.
- Improving the efficacy of inventory tracking and management is its primary goal.
- Think of it like a digital label on your products.
Components of an SKU
An SKU typically includes information about:
Color: For instance, “BLU” for blue, “RED” for red, etc.
Size: Indicated by codes like “S,” “M,” or “L.”
Style or Variation: Differentiate between similar items (e.g., “V-NECK” or “POLO”).
Importance of Seller SKUs
Why Do SKUs Matter for Sellers?
Inventory Management
- Imagine your inventory as a vast library. SKUs are like the Decimal System—it categorizes and organizes products.
- Each SKU corresponds to a specific product, making it eaDewey sier to locate items when needed.
Tracking Efficiency
- When you’re dealing with hundreds or thousands of products, finding the right one swiftly matters.
- An SKU acts as a shortcut—a concise representation of a product’s attributes.
- For example, instead of searching through a sea of “Blue T-Shirts,” you can quickly locate “TSHRT-BLU-M.”
Data Accuracy
- Accurate SKUs prevent mix-ups and shipping errors.
- No more sending a customer a red dress when they ordered a blue one!
Importance of Seller SKUs
Simplifying Product Identification
- SKUs are especially helpful for merchants who have a large and diverse inventory since they distill complex product information into manageable codes.
Efficient Representation and Tracking
- SKUs make selling easier when you have thousands or even hundreds of goods.
- SKUs make it easy to find a specific blue t-shirt among a sea of similar goods.
Different Types of SKUs
MSKU (Merchant Stock Keeping Unit) vs. SKU
- MSKUis synonymous with Seller SKU on Amazon.
Both terms refer to the unique identifier assigned to each product by the seller.
The distinction is mostly terminological; they serve the same organizational and tracking functions.
FNSKU (Fulfillment Network Stock Keeping Unit) vs. SKU
- FNSKU pertains exclusively to Amazon’s Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) initiative.
Within Amazon’s fulfillment facilities, a product’s barcode serves as a link between it and its seller.
SKU, on the other hand, refers to inventory management in a broader sense and is independent of fulfillment strategy.
EAN (European Article Number) vs. SKU
- EANis an international barcode standard with 12 or 13 digits.
It identifies products, manufacturers, and attributes.
Forproducts sold in Amazon’s European marketplaces, EANs are
SKUs, however, are internal identifiers used by sellers for inventory management.
ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number) vs. SKU
- An ASIN is a special code that helps identify products in Amazon’s vast inventory.
- The public ASINs are shown on product pages and help with listings and searches.
- SKUs, on the other hand, are distinct proprietary codes utilized by vendors.
Creating Effective SKUs:Tips for Crafting Your Own SKUs
1. Uniqueness Is Key
- Every SKU needs to be distinct. A SKU should never be used for a separate product.
- Avoid misunderstanding by giving each object a unique code.
2. Keep It Concise
- Make an effort to be concise. Generally, a decent SKU has fewer than 30 characters.
- Shorter SKUs require less error-prone handling and are easier to manage.
3. No Spaces or Special Characters
- Make sure to use just capital, numeric, and semicolons.
- Special characters or spaces can lead to problems in spreadsheets and databases.
4. Avoid Product Titles
- A SKU is not a brief description of a product.
- Use something like “TSHRT-BLU-M” in place of “Blue Cotton T-Shirt.”
5. No Leading Zeros
- Using a zero to begin an SKU can result in software errors.
- For instance, “01234” might be read as “1234.”
Examples and Scenarios:How SKUs Play Out in Real Life
Example 1: T-Shirt Variations
- Let’s say you supply t-shirts in different sizes (S, M, and L) and colors (green, blue, and red).
- Each combination, such “TSHRT-RED-S,” “TSHRT-BLU-M,” and so on, has its own SKU.
Example 2: Multiple Sellers, Same Product
- Various vendors could feature identical products (like a well-liked phone cover).
- Their SKUs will vary according to their distinct inventory management systems.
SKUs in the Amazon Ecosystem
1. FNSKU (Fulfillment Network Stock Keeping Unit)
- Products that are enrolled in Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) are assigned FNSKUs by Amazon.
- These distinct numbers aid Amazon in tracking products across its extensive fulfillment network.
2. Seller Central and SKUs
Through the Seller Central portal on Amazon, sellers are able to create, edit, and keep an eye on their SKUs.
Managing Your Seller SKUs
Once you’ve created your Seller SKU, you can manage it through the “Manage Inventory” section of your Seller Central account. Here, you can view and edit existing listings, update pricing and inventory levels, and track sales performance
In summary, you have more clout as a salesperson if you become an expert in SKUs. Both small and large organizations will gain from having a solid understanding of SKUs because it will make operations smoother, inventory control more accurate, and customers happy. So remember, this seemingly random string of characters and numbers is the basis of your business, not just an SKU!