What’s a SKU vs a UPC?
A SKU is your internal product code; a UPC is the public barcode number. SKU Compass forecasts on SKUs — here’s the difference and why it matters.
The short version
A SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) is the code you assign to track a product. You make it up. It’s yours. Example: TK-CHEFHAT-RED-M.
A UPC (Universal Product Code) is the 12-digit barcode number that’s the same everywhere — on Amazon, in a store, in any catalog. You don’t make it up; it’s assigned. Example: 856734200119.
SKU Compass forecasts, reorders, and reports on SKUs — because the SKU is the unit you manage.
Why the difference matters
- One UPC, many SKUs. The same product can carry different SKUs across channels if you set it up that way. SKU Compass treats each SKU as its own line to forecast.
- A SKU can exist without a UPC. Bundles, kits, and made-to-order items often have a SKU but no barcode. That’s fine — SKU Compass still forecasts them.
- The SKU is the join key. When SKU Compass pulls your Amazon, Shopify, and Walmart data, it matches everything on the SKU. Consistent SKUs across channels = clean multi-channel forecasting. Mismatched SKUs = the same product looks like two products.
What this means for setup
When you connect a channel, SKU Compass imports whatever SKU each platform has on file. If the same physical product uses different SKUs on Amazon vs Shopify, they’ll come in as separate items. That’s not broken — but if you want them forecast together, the SKUs need to match.
Common gotchas
| If you see… | Do this |
|---|---|
| The same product showing twice in your catalog | Check whether each channel has a different SKU for it — align them if you want one combined forecast |
| A SKU with no UPC | Normal for bundles and kits — no action needed |
| Amazon’s “ASIN” instead of a SKU | ASIN is Amazon’s product ID, like a UPC for Amazon. SKU Compass still forecasts on your seller SKU, not the ASIN |