What Is a Seller SKU on Amazon?

Last updated on July 19th, 2023

Written by Himanshi Raj

If you haven't yet realized the full potential of Amazon SKUs in the world’s largest e-commerce platform, it's time to reevaluate your approach. But what is a Seller SKU on Amazon? Why is it crucial for new sellers to understand its importance?

In the bustling world of ecommerce, Amazon stands tall as the juggernaut of online marketplaces. With millions of products available at the click of a button, it’s no wonder that entrepreneurs and businesses worldwide flock to this platform to show their brand and tap into its vast customer base.

Aspiring Amazon sellers, however, find themselves grappling with a term that can be puzzling: the Seller SKU. Many individuals mistakenly associate it with other product identifiers like ASINs or UPCs. But this unique code holds a special place in the selling landscape.

Find out all the answers here in this comprehensive guide. 

Understanding Seller SKUs on Amazon

Amazon Seller SKU stands for Stock Keeping Unit. It is an alphanumeric identifier you and Amazon use to keep tabs on your products and orders. When setting up your products on Amazon, each product gets assigned a unique SKU for easy tracking and identification.

You may encounter various terms like "Seller SKU," "Merchant SKU," or "Amazon SKU." Don't worry; they all refer to the same concept! These SKUs are critical metadata components associated with your product information page within Amazon's catalog.

The Importance of Amazon Seller SKUs

Seller SKUs go beyond identifying products in the Amazon marketplace. They are powerful tools for sellers to optimize their operations, improve efficiency, and enhance their overall selling experience. 

Here are some key reasons highlighting the importance of Amazon Seller SKUs.

By knowing the importance of Seller SKUs and leveraging them effectively, you can carve out a strong presence and build an incredible management system in the thriving landscape of Amazon.

How Seller SKUs Differ from ASINs and FNSKUs

Indeed, Seller SKUs, ASINs, and FNSKUs can confuse many Amazon sellers. Let's break down their differences in a simplified way: 

Why must sellers learn to recognize Amazon FNSKU, ASIN, and Seller SKU? It’s simple:

• It will maintain a proper inventory management system.
• It will improve search rankings, discoverability, and customer engagement.
• It will ensure seamless order fulfillment, preventing any errors or delays in shipping.
• It will help you avoid policy violations and keep a smooth selling experience.

Grasping these distinctions can help you navigate the complexities of Amazon selling with greater confidence and effectiveness.

Where Can You Take Advantage of Seller SKU on Amazon?

Managing a diverse range of products and variations in your Amazon business can sometimes become overwhelming. That's where SKUs can greatly alleviate this challenge.

You can take full advantage of Seller SKU by incorporating it into various tasks within Amazon Seller Central. Allow us to give you a detailed breakdown:

1. Enhance product listings: Include the Seller SKU information in product titles, bullet points, and descriptions to refine searchability and provide clear identification. By doing so, customers can find your products easily.
2. Assess performance: Link buyer feedback, profit rate, and other metrics with specific SKUs. It will help you specify top-performing items, know alternatives, and make data-driven decisions for your product and pricing strategies.
3. Analyze sales data: Use SKUs to analyze individual product sales in Seller Central, giving you valuable information on your best-selling items and helping you make informed decisions about your inventory.
4. Manage inventory levels: Monitor your items by regularly checking SKU levels in Seller Central. Plan your replenishments to avoid running out of stock, which can negatively impact your sales.
5. Streamline supply chain: Assign unique SKUs to suppliers, manufacturers, or distributors to easily handle inventory sources and reorder processes.

How to Create a Seller SKU on Amazon

Believe it or not, creating Seller SKUs is a breeze. You don’t need fancy software or cryptic code-breaking skills. Fretting about complicated algorithms or memorizing codes is also unnecessary. 

With just a touch of product knowledge and an understanding of the proper format and guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to becoming an expert in SKU creation. But how exactly do you go about creating your own Seller SKU?

The Anatomy of Amazon Seller SKU

What exactly does an Amazon Seller SKU code look like? Here’s an example: 

When customizing your SKUs, remember to have these details ready:

• Product type: It should be concise, descriptive, and representative of the product itself. For example, “shoes,” “woman’s pants,” or “bags.”
• Brand name: It provides further clarity and aids in differentiation, especially if you offer products from multiple brands. Including the brand name in the SKU helps you track products accurately.
• Product category: Category helps to group similar products and facilitates quick navigation. For example, “clothing,” “home essentials,” or “gardening tools.”
• Product size: Incorporating size information helps separate between different sizes of the same product. You can use abbreviations, numerical indicators, or standardized sizing conventions.
• Product condition: Use descriptors like “new,” “used,” “refurbished,” or any relevant condition terms to mark your products based on their status.

• Product price: The cost you paid for the product. Most of the time, it comes in the form of numerical value.
• Product attributes: The description can include details like material, dimensions, or any other relevant features that help spot the product.
• Unique identifier: A combination of letters, numbers, or symbols that separates your SKU. It helps avoid confusion and simplifies inventory tracking.

Step-By-Step Guide in Creating a Custom SKU

Below is a step-by-step guide to customizing your own stock keeping units.

Best Practices in Creating SKUs

As you create product SKUs, adhering to best practices to ensure optimal results is crucial. Consider the following tips:

• Never start with 0: Leading zeros may be dropped or misunderstood in specific systems or software. It’s best to avoid starting your SKU with 0 to uphold a comprehensive product identification system.
• Don’t confuse SKU with universal product code: SKU is an internal identifier; UPC is a standardized barcode used for scanning products at the point of sale. SKUs are unique to your business, while UPCs are used across different retailers.

• Use identifiers instead of product titles: Product titles can change over time due to updates, rebranding, or other factors. Instead of using the product title in your SKU, use identifiers such as size, color, or material that remain consistent. 
• Avoid using symbols: Symbols and special characters like commas, periods, or asterisks can cause compatibility issues with various systems. Stick to alphanumeric characters for ease of use.

Are There Any Alternatives for Generating SKUs?

Certainly! Amazon-generated SKUs can be valuable if you feel uncertain or lack confidence in manually creating SKUs.

You can let Amazon automatically generate SKUs for you when listing your products. This feature can be handy for sellers with a large inventory or who prefer a more standardized approach.

There are also various online tools available that can help you create SKUs. They offer comprehensive guidance and support, allowing you to generate unique and well-structured SKUs that align with your specific requirements and preferences.

You only need to remember that Amazon-generated SKUs may not always align perfectly with your specific needs. If you require more descriptive or custom SKUs, manually creating them is better.

Achieve Peak Efficiency with Amazon Seller SKUs

Inventory management may not be the most glamorous aspect of your work. Still, it is vital in preventing chaos and maintaining smooth operations. After all, no seller wants to get overwhelmed by juggling countless products, orders, and customer demands.

Fear not! The solution lies in the power of Seller SKUs. They may appear small and insignificant, but they have the potential to make a substantial difference in your day-to-day tasks. 

By creating unique identifiers for your products, you can establish a system that brings efficiency, order, and control to your management duties. Imagine the peace of mind that comes from knowing where each product is, efficiently fulfilling orders, and managing Amazon accounts. What more could you ask for?

Want to know more about Seller SKU? Seller Interactive can help!

Book a call today!