In need of barcodes for your retail products? Read this first
In this modern world, retail barcodes have become indispensable for any small to large business. They are used to control the inventory from the moment the products enter the business right up till when they are sold to the customer.
The world of barcodes can be quite unknown to new business owners, even though barcodes are a crucial part of our everyday lives. Initiating a barcode system within your business does not have to be a long or complicated process, and will open new doors and ensure that your business will thrive amongst the competition. Having barcoded products will help you rise above the rest of your competitors and expand your business to more retailers within South Africa as well as international markets.
The need for barcodes
In this modern world, retail barcodes have become indispensable for any small to large business. They are used to control the inventory from the moment the products enter the business right up till when they are sold to the customer. They help in knowing when to re-order stock in order to ensure that your store is always stocked with a wide range of goods to meet all your client’s needs. In essence, they limit human mistakes and save businesses both time and money. Many retailers will only stock products with barcodes. Barcodes are an essential tool that you can use to make your business more efficient and ensure your products stand out in the competitive business world of today.
The types of barcodes
There is a variety of different types of barcodes, each with their purpose and often within their industry. The most common barcodes found all over the world are the one-dimensional UPC and EAN barcodes, and the information-dense two-dimensional Quick Response (QR) codes. Most products in South Africa and abroad require EAN and UPC barcodes.
Alongside the UPC and EAN barcodes is the ITF-14 barcode, which is also known as case or box codes and are used when you need to supply your products in bulk to retailers. Some retailers will only accept your products if you have these codes (along with your UPC or EAN code). ITF-14 codes are linked to the individual product UPC or EAN code on the products inside the box. For example, if you are supplying a box of 20 packets of chips, you will need an EAN code for the individual packet of chips and an ITF-14 code to indicate that it is a box of 20. Not all retailers require this code, so it is best to check with your specific retailers first.
QR codes have spread throughout the world due to the many ways businesses can use them to interact with customers. These are two-dimensional codes that are able to store a redirect address (which can redirect a user to a website or application). In addition, these codes are able to be scanned by any modern smartphone, adding to their versatility. They are used in payment applications, such as Snapscan, which allow customers to pay for their purchases with their Smartphones. QR codes can also be used in promoting your business. Clients can scan your QR code in order to find out everything that they need to know about your business as well as potentially be redirected to any sales or specials you have running.
Where to get barcodes
Firstly, you must decide how many barcodes you will need. The rule is that you will require a separate code for every size and variation of your product. Therefore, if you are selling chips in two different sizes and two different flavours, you will need four barcodes.
Next, the most common method for small to medium-sized businesses to buy barcodes is through a barcode reseller. These are companies that have sourced barcodes directly from the international barcode database and are in the process of selling the unused barcodes individually (and, where necessary, in batches). It must be noted that there are many illegitimate barcode resellers, but fortunately enough such illegitimate businesses pop in and out of existence as their operations are exposed. What makes it so convenient to buy barcodes through a reseller is that there are no renewal fees, only a once-off payment after which you can use your barcodes for life.
In South Africa, Buy Barcodes has served local businesses and customers for many years. Buy Barcodes issues certificates of authentication for each barcode purchased, and for each batch of barcodes purchased, guaranteeing that the barcodes are unique and that you are the sole user. There are no hidden or renewal costs to stress about. Many choose to buy their retail barcodes through these barcode resellers as it is a much more financially viable option. Contact Buy Barcodes and chat with their barcode experts to find out more on how to navigate the world of barcodes in South Africa!
