A PLU code POS that answers before the scale settles.
Cashiers type four digits, the produce rings up by weight or by the each. No hunting through menus with a line out the door.
Try a code:
What is a PLU code?
- PLU (price look-up) code
- A 4- or 5-digit number on the sticker of loose fruit and vegetables that identifies the item and variety at checkout. Four-digit codes in the 3000–4999 range are conventional produce; a 9 in front makes the organic version. They are assigned worldwide by the IFPS.
| Format | Example | Means | Set it up as |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 digits (3000–4999) | 4011 | Conventional item and variety | One product, SKU 4011 |
| 9 + 4 digits | 94011 | Organic version | Separate product, own price |
| House code | Your range | Bulk bins, cut fruit, store mixes | Products with your own SKUs |
| 8 + 4 digits | 8xxxx | Not in practical use | Don’t build rules on it |
Set up produce in an afternoon.
Step 1Use the PLU as the SKU
For every loose produce item, set its SKU to the 4- or 5-digit PLU. Typing the code finds the item instantly.
Step 2Sell by lb or kg
Give produce a unit that allows decimals, so the cashier can enter 2.36 lb after the code.
Step 3Add house codes
Bulk bins, cut fruit and your own mixes get house codes from a range your store reserves.
Step 4Print a cheat sheet
Export your produce list and tape the top 40 codes at each register. New cashiers learn them in a week.
Training cashiers without a manual.
- Start with the top 20. In most produce departments a small set of items (bananas, limes, tomatoes, onions, avocados, peppers) makes most of the scans. Learn those first.
- Say the code out loud. Cashiers who repeat “forty-eleven” while they type make fewer mistakes in the first week.
- Organic is “nine first”. One rule covers every organic item.
- Missing code? Ring it, then report it. A general produce key keeps the line moving; the manager fixes the list after the shift.
- Use their language. Each cashier can see product names in their own screen language. See language support.
PLU questions from the produce aisle
9 questions on the shelf
How do PLU codes work at checkout?
A PLU (price look-up) code is a 4- or 5-digit number on the sticker of loose produce. The cashier types it, the register finds the item, and the weight or count sets the price. In GetGroceryPOS the PLU is the product’s SKU, so the same search box finds it.
What does a 9 in front of a PLU mean?
A 5-digit PLU starting with 9 is the organic version of the 4-digit code. 4011 is conventional bananas; 94011 is organic bananas. Set them up as two products with two prices.
What about codes starting with 8?
An 8 prefix was once reserved for genetically modified produce but it was never used that way in practice, and the code industry has moved away from it. Don’t rely on it to mean anything at your register.
Who assigns PLU codes?
Global produce PLUs are assigned by the International Federation for Produce Standards (IFPS). You can look codes up on their site. Codes for your own bulk bins or prepared items are “house” codes your store chooses.
Can I import all my produce PLUs at once?
Yes. Put the PLU in the SKU column of the product spreadsheet and import it with everything else. See bulk product import.
What if a PLU is missing from my list?
The cashier sees “not found” and can ring the item under a general produce item, or a manager adds it on the spot. Fix the list after the shift so it doesn’t happen twice.
Can items sold by the each also use PLUs?
Yes. Avocados, mangoes or limes sold by the piece just use a whole-number unit. The code is the same; the quantity is a count instead of a weight.
Do PLUs work with a label scale?
Yes. If the scale uses the same item code, its labels and the register agree. That’s how the scale barcode knows which item was weighed.
Can I show produce names in Spanish or Chinese?
Yes. Product names can be in any script, so “Plátano”, “香蕉” or “Chuối” show on screen and print on the receipt (if your printer has the font). See multilingual receipts.
No question matches that. Try a shorter word.
Ring up produce by number.
Import your produce list with PLUs today and train the lanes this week.
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