SKUs and UPCs enable retailers to better manage inventory, and Package IDs are required to meet cannabis traceability requirements. This article walks through applying and using SKU, UPC, and Package IDs in the GrowFlow Retail POS.
UPCs
Prerequisites
Retail stores DO NOT create UPC codes. If the product has a UPC code, it will be pre-printed on the product packaging. If there is not one on the product, a UPC should not be entered in GrowFlow Retail.
Adding the UPC Code to a Product
For products that arrive with a UPC code and a corresponding barcode pre-printed on the product, the UPC can be added to the product profile:
1. Navigate to Inventory.
2. Select the Products tab.
3. Select the product you want to apply the UPC to and click Edit (the "pencil" icon).
4. Add the UPC to the UPC field.
5. Click Save and Close.
Only valid UPC codes can be entered and saved. The system checks to verify it is a valid UPC-A (12 digits) or UPC-E (6 digits) formatted number. It does NOT check to confirm that it’s registered.
If the system does not accept the number, it is not a real UPC code and can not be entered.
No two products in your store can have the same UPC. Should this occur, one or more of the UPC codes has not been registered with the appropriate authorities.
SKUs
Prerequisites
SKUs are created by retailers.
It is a best practice for a retailer to create a code/pattern for their SKU numbers. They are typically 8 to 12 digits.
A SKU is specific to a single product across all stores within an organization.
You should NOT be using different SKUs for the same product in different stores in your organization.
Adding the SKU to a Product
To add a SKU to a product profile:
1. Navigate to Inventory.
2. Select the Products tab.
3. Select the product you want to apply the SKU to and click Edit (the "pencil" icon).
4. Add the SKU to the SKU field. The system checks to verify that the SKU has not been assigned to another product. No two products in your store can have the same SKU.
5. Click Save and Close.
Package IDs
Prerequisites
A Package ID is assigned to all “lots” or "packages" of products.
Each “lot” or "package" of products containing MJ must have a unique Package ID.
For non-MJ products, a product can have the same Package ID for all shipments.
In Metrc states, it is a common practice to use the Metrc tag ID as the Package ID.
Adding the Package ID to a Package
Package IDs are added when receiving incoming transfers in Inventory > Transfers. There are three options for assigning a Package ID:
In Metrc states, the Metrc tag ID can be auto-assigned to that field (see below for how to enable this feature).
You can also click the “magic wand” button to have the POS generate a unique Package ID.
You can also manually enter a Package ID by typing in the Package ID field.
Setting up Metrc tag ID as Package ID
When this feature is enabled, when an incoming transfer is received from Metrc, the POS will automatically populate the Metrc tag ID in the Package ID field. To enable this:
1. Navigate to Settings.
2. Select the General tab.
3. Scroll down to the Transfer Settings section.
4. Enable the toggle for Auto Generate Package ID from Metrc Tag.
You can select either the full Metrc tag or just the last 10 digits of the tag.
In some cases, the last 10 digits are used to reduce the size of the barcode on the package label.
5. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Save Settings.
Print Settings for Package IDs, SKUs, UPCs (Package Labels)
Package IDs
For products with MJ, a Package ID is always printed on the package label, including the text of the Package ID and the Package ID as either a barcode or QR code.
SKUs
Printing the SKU as text on the package label enables rapid identification of products by SKU. To add SKUs to your package labels:
1. Navigate to Settings.
2. Click the Print tab.
3. In the Package Label section, find the SKU and SKU Barcode toggles. Only one can be enabled at a time.
Enabling the SKU setting will print the SKU as text with a prefix of “SKU” followed by the SKU. Enabling the SKU Barcode setting will print the SKU with a barcode and the SKU printed below it with a prefix of “SKU”.
The Prefix of "SKU" distinguishes the SKU and/or SKU barcode from the Package ID and associated barcode.
Keep in mind, as the Package ID barcode is typically scanned at checkout, including the SKU as a barcode on the package label could confuse budtenders on which barcode to scan.
4. Click Save Settings.
UPCs
As a general rule, there is no need to print UPC codes and barcodes on package labels as they will already be printed on the product if they have one.
Enabling Scanning of SKUs and UPCs
By default, only Package ID barcodes can be scanned into the cart. A benefit of this process is it ensures that inventory is tracked properly. That said, you can enable the option to allow scanning of SKUs and UPCs if desired.
To enable the POS to allow scanning of SKU and UPC:
1. Navigate to Settings.
2. Click the General tab.
3. Scroll down to the Cashier section.
4. Enable the toggle for UPC and SKU Scanning in Cart.
5. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Save Settings.
Scanning SKUs and UPCs in the Cart
When scanning of SKU and UPC is enabled (see above), if a SKU or UPC is scanned and there are multiple packages of the product in sellable inventory, the budtender will be presented with a list of the packages and must select one from the list.
In the example above, a SKU is scanned. The Package ID for sellable packages is on the left. SKU, UPC (if present), and the remaining quantity are also displayed. The budtender must select the correct package.
If the budtender scans the SKU and selects the wrong package from the list, the appropriate step would be to delete the item from the shopping cart and scan the product again.
As a reminder, scanning the Package ID at checkout is strongly advised as a best practice. If allowing the scanning of SKUs and UPCs in the cart, budtenders could select the wrong package(s), leading to potential inventory reconciliation issues.
If a budtender scans a SKU or UPC, then selects the wrong package, and completes the order before realizing the mistake, you will need to manually correct inventory. You can do this by either 1) making adjustments to add the appropriate number of units to the package that was incorrectly selected, and reduce the appropriate number of units from the package that was actually sold, or 2) voiding the sale and recreating it with the correct package(s).