Registering a SKU (Canada)

Whatever standardization there might be would be created internally. I worked at Staples about 15 years ago, and I don't feel that their SKU system has any real logic behind it. Basically when they would create an new item in the system for sale, the SKU was just selected based on the next available one in the sequence going up. An Avery label that's been available for literally YEARS would be a lower SKU#12230, where as a newer iPad case would be SKU#2067685.

I also worked at an agricultural implement manufacturer, and that SKU system had logic! You could tell what an item was based on the first few digits of the SKU; if they started with "B001xxx" - basic hardware such as nuts and bolts, "B011xxx" some type of tire/wheel, "B021xxx" a type of bearing. "Cxxxxxx" is a complete assembled part that consists of various "Bxxxxx" items.

So depending on what industry you're in would maybe dictate what type of SKU system you want to implement. If it's something basic like clothing, a specific shirt might be SKU#10001-1 for size small, 10001-2 for medium, 10001-3 for large. That -x might be enough of a designation to differentiate the available styles for a specific design.

/r/smallbusiness Thread Parent