The fastest grocery cashier never hunts through menus. They scan packaged goods and type a number for everything else. This article sets up both.
PLU codes for produce
Price look-up (PLU) codes are the small numbers on produce stickers. Most are four digits; organic versions usually add a 9 in front.
| Item | Conventional PLU | Organic PLU |
|---|---|---|
| Bananas | 4011 | 94011 |
| Limes | 4048 | 94048 |
| Roma tomatoes | 4087 | 94087 |
| Jalapeño peppers | 4693 | 94693 |
To use them:
- Create each produce item as a product.
- Enter the PLU as the SKU.
- Use a weight unit with decimals (lb or kg) if you sell it by weight, or Piece if you sell it each.
- At the register, the cashier types the PLU and presses Enter.
Check the codes against the official PLU list before you print a cheat sheet for cashiers. The PLU codes feature page has a keypad demo.
Barcodes on packaged goods
For anything with a printed barcode, the SKU is the barcode number.
- When you import products, put the UPC (12 digits, common in the US) or EAN (13 digits, common on imports) in the SKU column.
- Keep leading zeros. Format the SKU column as text in your spreadsheet.
- Scan a few items after import to confirm they are found.
Imported goods sometimes carry two different barcodes for the same product from different shipments. Ask support how best to handle a second code for the same item in your setup.
House codes for your own items
Bulk bins, bakery, hot sauces you bottle, homemade tamales: none of them come with a code. Give them your own.
- Pick a range that does not clash with produce PLUs, for example 10001–19999 for bulk and bakery.
- Write the code in the SKU field.
- Print a barcode label so cashiers can scan instead of type.
Barcode type for labels you print
Each product has a barcode type used when the software prints its label. Common choices are Code 128 for your own codes and EAN-13 or UPC-A for retail-style codes. If you are not sure, use Code 128 for house codes. It accepts letters and numbers.
Print barcode and shelf labels
- Open Products → Print labels.
- Add the products and how many labels of each you need.
- Choose what to show: name, price, barcode, business name.
- Pick the label layout that matches your label paper or roll. Label sizes and printer setup are under the barcode settings in Settings.
- Preview, then print.
Print a test page on plain paper first and hold it against a label sheet to check the alignment.
Common problems
The scanner reads the barcode but says not found. The SKU in the catalogue is missing a leading zero, or the item was imported with a different number. Edit the product.
Typing the PLU adds the wrong product. Two products share a similar code and the search picks the first match. Make SKUs unique and press Enter only on the exact code.
Labels print shifted. The label layout does not match the paper. Adjust the label settings, or choose the layout made for your label size.
Barcodes print but will not scan. The printer resolution is too low or the label is too small. Make the barcode bigger or use a thermal label printer.
Related: Import products · Label scale barcodes · PLU codes · Hardware guide
