6 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
6 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Retailer wants barcode on my product?

by keyon
5 replies
  • ECOMMERCE
    • |
Hi,
I'm a newbie to the wholesale/retail business.

I developed a product that I currently sell on my own website. I work with a manufacturer in China, and I do all the packaging and shipping (to website customers) myself.

I've started to contact retailers (in my niche) about carrying my product, and I've got a few positive replies. However, one retailer has told me that "all retailers will want a barcode" -- on the packaging I assume.

Guess I'm a little fuzzy about how to do this. I understand that barcodes can include all kinds of information about a product (SKU, price, etc.), but wouldn't my barcode need to be unique to each retailer?

Thanks!
#barcode #product #retailer
  • Profile picture of the author kjamesnv
    A UPC code is the same for every retailer.

    To register a UPC you have to join the registry which is around $1k/year if I recall correctly. If you only need a small amount of UPC codes there are re sellers that sell them for around $90. Here is one:
    Buy a Barcode - Recommended by the Wall Street Journal.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8063003].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Ryan David
      You can buy through a reseller if you just need a handful, but if you're looking to have a lot of products then it's worth it to actually go through the "official" process.

      Get a U.P.C. Barcode and Bring Your Products to Market | GS1 US
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8063021].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author OnlineStoreHelp
        That is great you have retailers interested. Make sure your manufacturer is flexible in how they package and box products. The larger retailers will have rules around how product is packaged, what type of pallet, etc.

        Others have given you how to get yourself a UPC code to go on all your products so I don't need to add anything there. Hopefully they will not require an EDI feed from you which can be a pain.

        Are you dealing with large or small retailers?
        Signature
        Learn how to set up a powerful, functional yet easy to use e-commerce website at cartprep.com.

        Not sure what ecommerce solution to use? Watch my video walk through of popular shopping carts.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8063347].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author keyon
          Originally Posted by OnlineStoreHelp View Post

          That is great you have retailers interested. Are you dealing with large or small retailers?
          Thanks for the comments!
          I've been reaching out to both small and large retailers. So far, it's the large companies that have responded.

          Anyone have experience submitting to HSN or QVC?
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8064062].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author keyon
        Originally Posted by Ryan David View Post

        You can buy through a reseller if you just need a handful, but if you're looking to have a lot of products then it's worth it to actually go through the "official" process.

        Get a U.P.C. Barcode and Bring Your Products to Market | GS1 US
        I agree...going through the barcode resellers ($90/barcode) is not a bargain, considering that you can get 100 barcodes for $750 when you buy your own. And I believe the yearly fee is $150 (not $1k).

        Also, going thru a reseller means your barcode is not really yours, exactly -- and I believe the data in the code reveals this fact. I've read that some retailers don't like this much.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8065848].message }}

Trending Topics