On a June morning in 1974, a Marsh Supermarket cashier in Troy, Ohio, rang up a 67-cent pack of Juicy Fruit chewing gum using something novel — the black and white stripes of a universal bar code.
The Universal Product Code is now a packaging mainstay on everything from cereal boxes and produce to electronics and airplane tickets, but it might not have worked without IBM engineer George Laurer.
In the world of retail sales there are primarily two barcode formats used, UPC and EAN. The UPC format (as shown below) is 12 digits while the EAN is 13. These two formats are predominantly used in their own regions, the UPC is used only in the US and Canada, while the EAN is used everywhere else globally.
Some big changes are being rolled out by Google Shopping and it’s imperative that you make these updates if you plan on selling your products online.
Google is now making it a requirement starting May 16, 2016 that all products you have listed on the Google Shopping network have a GTIN.
This is only required if you are selling products to the following countries:
Bar Codes Talk, which offers authentic UPC & EAN barcodes, was recently selected to join the Google Trusted Stores program. To help shoppers identify online merchants that offer a great shopping experience, the Google Trusted Store badge is awarded to e-commerce sites that demonstrate a track record of on-time shipping and excellent customer service. When visiting the Bar Codes Talk website, shoppers will see a Google Trusted Store badge and can click on it for more information.
If you are currently selling or looking to sell on Amazon we have answered the most frequently asked questions in regards to bar code needs and common issues. We have been in the bar code game a long time and have many clients that purchase codes from us for use on Amazon so we have heard it all!
If your company is taking a product to market, purchasing barcodes is likely high on your “to-do” list. Providing retailers with the ability to track the purchase of your product, Universal Product Codes (UPC) and European Article Number Codes (EAN) are 12 digit numbers that appear beneath every bar code. Originally created to help grocery stores speed up the check-out process and keep track of inventory, these identification numbers are now used across the board by almost every retailer.
Anyone who’s interested in making money understands the importance of keeping accurate records. Associating a unique bar code with your product enables retailers to easily track the sales of your items within their inventory system. Fast, reliable, and free from the risk of human error, bar codes are inexpensive to purchase and can be printed on a multitude of different label types suitable for any product. At Barcodes Talk, our bar codes are priced competitively and without renewal fees, allowing your company to maximize your return on investment.
In 2008 Amazon began requiring UPC, EAN, or ISBN barcodes for all products sold on Amazon.com. Scannable barcodes reduce handling times in shipping centers and lessen errors in order fulfillment and shipping. In May 2014 Amazon began handing out strict penalties for using non-compliant barcodes. Many users had their accounts shut down and were forced to stop selling. We have created a handy infographic showcasing the Do's & Dont's for selling on Amazon.