Managing Barcodes for Retail Products
The Barcodes tab lets you assign one or more barcodes to a product. This is especially useful in retail environments where products may exist in different pack sizes or promotional formats.
Adding barcodes to products
Each barcode can be linked to a specific product and can optionally trigger a different price level.
How to add a barcode
- Go to the product screen and open the Barcodes tab.
- Click Add Barcode.
- Enter or scan the barcode number exactly as it appears on the product.
- Optionally select the Price Level this barcode should trigger.
- Click Save.
Example: add one barcode for a standard packet of biscuits and another for a promotional pack using a special price level.
Barcodes must be unique across all products.
Best practices for barcode management
- Keep every barcode unique in the system.
- Use standard formats such as EAN-13 or UPC where possible.
- Test new barcodes on the POS to verify both the product link and the price.
Common use cases
- Retail Products: different sizes, such as 330ml versus 500ml.
- Promotional Pricing: promotional wrappers or event-specific prices.
- Multi-Pack Variants: pack sizes such as a 6-pack versus a single unit.
Example: one barcode may sell a chocolate bar at £1.00, while a promotional wrapper barcode sells it at £0.80.
Troubleshooting barcode issues
- Duplicate Barcode Error: search the product list to find the existing product and resolve the conflict.
- Wrong Price at Till: check that the correct price level is linked to that barcode.
- Not Scanning: make sure the label is clear and the scanner lens is clean.
Poor-quality labels or faded prints can cause scanning problems at the POS.
FAQ
Can I assign more than one barcode to a single product?
Yes. This is ideal for alternate packaging, different sizes, or different price levels.
Can I use the same barcode on two products?
No. Every barcode must be unique in the system to avoid POS conflicts.
What happens if I scan a barcode with no price level attached?
The product is sold using the default price model.
Can barcodes be branch-specific?
No. Barcodes apply globally across all branches and products.