Within Thrive, the main difference is a barcode can be re-used with multiple variants, while SKUs must be unique.
Each integration we integrate with may have its own rules on how they handle SKUs and barcodes. To keep your inventory orderly and syncing properly, SKUs must be unique when using Thrive.
Additionally, every product uploaded to Thrive must have a unique SKU to avoid upload errors and maintain accurate inventory records.
You can generate a SKU and Barcode for any variant that doesn't already have one right in the SKU field in the Variants & Defaults section.
Otherwise, there's a bulk task where you can assign a unique SKU to any product in your inventory without a SKU or Barcode. Both of those options are outlined here for SKUs and Barcodes.
A visible barcode is the graphical representation of a number. When printing a tag or label (from the SKU or Barcode field) it will end up looking like the scannable "barcode" you are used to seeing below:
Note: The Barcode and SKUs fields can be different, but in the above example, whether you are printing from the SKU or Barcode field, the result is the same.
Print a SKU/barcode (price tag or label)
Thrive provides you with pre-formatted PDF files for you to print out scannable barcodes.
Read more about supported printers, compatible sizes, supported SKU/Barcode formats, and label examples here:
Each POS handles these a little differently.
BigCommerce: supports SKU and barcode
Clover**: supports SKU and barcode
Square: supports SKU only
Shopify*: supports SKU and barcode
WooCommerce: supports SKU only
*Only the Barcode can be scanned at the Shopify POS.
**Our barcode will map to the "Product Code" in Clover.
If your provider doesn't support a field, you can still use it internally in Thrive. Both SKUs and Barcodes are optional.
BONUS: These fields also enable you to track commissions or serial numbers!
General Rules for Product Naming
Unique Product Names for Simple Products: Each simple product in Thrive must have a unique name. Duplicate product names are not permitted unless attributes or variants are used.
Grouping by Product Name for Attributes or Variants: When products involve attributes or variants, the same product name can be shared across different entries. These entries should be grouped together under the shared product name to streamline upload processes and minimize data errors.
Things to Note:
Only one SKU and one barcode can be added to each variant in Thrive.
SKU numbers must be unique for each variant, whereas the same barcodes can be used for different variants.
Simple products must have unique names unless grouped with attributes or variants.
Products with attributes or variants can share the same name if properly grouped.