What is an SKU?

SKU, or Stock Keeping Unit, is an internal product identifier assigned by the seller. Unlike the EAN code, which is global and assigned by the manufacturer, the SKU is created by the store or wholesaler itself, usually according to its own logic: category, model, variant.

Each variant that has a separate inventory level is assigned its own SKU. This ensures that the ERP system, warehouse, and online store know exactly which item is being referred to. In B2B sales, the SKU is also important to the buyer: regular customers know the numbers of the items they order, so B2B platforms allow them to place orders by entering or uploading a list of SKUs with quantities, without having to browse the catalog.