What are SKU prefixes?
When an integration is set up, a unique prefix is appended to each SKU. This helps our system know which SKU goes to which supplier so that using multiple suppliers is not an issue.
We add a 2-3 character SKU prefix to all supplier provided SKU numbers in our catalogs to ensure uniqueness across suppliers. Our system matches and syncs products to your store by SKU #.
This diagram helps to explain why having duplicate SKUs in your sales channel could create a problem:
During integration setup, this screen gives you the option to choose which SKU prefix you would like to add:
We recommend leaving the default prefix in place unless you have a business reason for choosing the other two options. For instance, if you are attempting to connect to pre-existing products located on your store, please select "No, do not include SKU prefix" so that we will strip the prefix from the SKU # during the upload/sync process.
- If you later do not want your SKUs to have a prefix, you can ask us to remove them.
- You can ask us to use a custom prefix that differs from our default values. If you already have your own SKU prefix on your store, you can have us set that within your integration so our SKU prefix will match.
The key is to make sure that the SKU prefix combined with the SKU in your Store Catalog on Inventory Source will match exactly existing products on your Sales Channel in order for us to be able to 'speak' to your products and update them successfully.
If you the SKU prefix + SKU does not match your Sales Channel SKUs, syncing will not be successful.