This is for Newsagencies Only

Parent and Child Items

Retailer uses the concept of parent and child items when handling magazines. This is the underlying concept used in Retailer is the most important aspect to understand for managing magazines effectively.

The characteristics of each of them are detailed below:

Parent ItemsChild Items
Barcode does not contain addenda / barcode extension:
eg. 9772200968008		Barcode ends with the addenda / barcode extension:
eg. 977220096800801
Used when creating customer orders.Should not be used for customer orders.
Usually has a PLU assigned to it.Should not have a PLU assigned.
Represented by a yellow-ish colour in the Find Stock Screen.Represented by a white colour in the Find Stock Screen.
Description is that of the latest arrival.Description shows the title followed by the issue name.
The issue name is different for each issue.
Supplier Stock Code is that of the latest arrival.Supplier Stock Code shows the product code followed by the issue code.
The issue code is different for each issue.
Does not have a quantity-on-hand figure.Has quantity-on-hand figures as they represent the actual magazine issues.
Only 1 parent item should exist for each titleMultiple child items can exist for a single parent item

Finding the Parent Item

You can identify the parent item of a magazine and its details through one of 2 methods. Once you find the parent item, you can then search for it using the barcode or PLU and configure it as explained in the next section.

  • Stock Enquiry Screen
    • From any screen in Retailer, press [Alt]+[T] on the keyboard.
    • Scan the magazine that you want to find a parent item for.
    • The details of the parent item will be displayed.
  • Stock Screen
    • From the main screen of Retailer, click on Stock -> Stock Screen. Alternatively, on the top menu bar of Retailer, click on Stock Maintenance -> Stock Screen.
    • Click on the magnifying glass and search for the particular item.
    • Back in the Stock Screen, click on the Issues button.
    • Click on Parent Details.
    • The details of the parent item will be displayed under the PARENT STOCK ITEM section.
    • You can also then click on the Issue Details Report button to get a full listing of the parent item and its child items.

Parent Item Settings

Settings for parent items must be configured correctly before magazines can be managed properly.

To access these settings:

  1. From the main screen of Retailer, click on Stock -> Stock Screen.
  2. Click on the magnifying glass icon to access the Find Stock Screen.
  3. Search for the particular parent item.
  4. Back in the Stock Screen, enter a PLU. This will make tasks such as searching and adding orders much easier.
  5. Click on the Newsagency tab.
  6. Configured the following areas as required:
    The frequency of arrivalHow often the title is delivered to the store.
    This is usually Weekly or Other.
    The day of arrivalWhat day the title is delivered to the store.
    This is usually a Monday or Thursday.
    The use of same barcodes for each issueWhether the same barcode is used for each different issue.
    This is usually unticked, as each issue has a different addenda/extension in the barcode.
  7. Click Save.

Arriving Magazines

Magazines are usually arrived with EDI files received from XchangeIT. If this is unavailable for some reason, or if there was a mistake that needs to be corrected, you can also arrive mags manually.
Click HERE for how to arrive magazines via EDI / XchangeIT.
Click HERE for how to arrive magazines manually.

Printing Barcode Labels For Magazines

There are a number of benefits to printing and sticking labels on magazines, in particular:

  • The labels indicate the date of arrival as well as the supplier.
  • Barcodes are printed in a format that incorporates the addenda and is easier for scanners to scan.
  • The Return Date is printed on the label, making it easier to locate magazines due to be returned.
  • The labels show if the magazines need to be returned in full, top or cover.

You should use barcode labels for all monthly magazines.

Click HERE for a guide to automatically print labels for arrived stock.

Selling Magazines

When selling magazines, it is important that the addenda are included when the magazines are scanned.

If the addenda is not scanned, the sale will go against the parent item instead and affect the stock-on-hand quantities.

To avoid this:

  • Make sure that magazine barcodes are aligned squarely when scanning.
  • Use printed barcode labels, as explained above.
  • Make sure that your scanner is capable of reading addenda and that the feature is enabled.

Returning Magazines

Click HERE for a guide to returning magazines through EDI / XchangeIT.
Click HERE for a guide to returning subagent magazines.