Using Barcode Lookup to pre-fill stock details

Using Barcode Lookup to pre-fill stock details

Barcode Lookup is being introduced in Retailer 3.2 as an opt-in service. While this service does have a cost for us to access we are providing it free to customers that opt in.  However, once we get a feel for how many customers are using the facility and the costs associated, we may introduce a nominal fee for accessing our link to this service to offset those costs.

Feel free to test out the Barcode Lookup database with some of your products - you can try it on their website HERE.
Please note that this is a third party external service and we cannot guarantee availability, accuracy or the quality of the data.  

Signing Up

Go to the Tower Systems website (click HERE), click on My Account in the top right or sign in if you haven't already.
Click on Billing, and then sign up under the Barcode Lookup area. You will need to enter credit card details - you will not be charged at this stage, but this will be used if we introduce a fee.

Using Barcode Lookup

Barcode Lookup is extremely easy to use - when you add a new stock item, after entering the barcode into the first screen Retailer will automatically search an online database for that barcode and fill in some of the details for that product if it finds a match. There are no extra steps for you to follow; adding new stock items is otherwise exactly the same.

For existing stock items, find the item in the Stock Screen, then click the Barcode Lookup button. If a match is found, a prompt will appear with what details will be updated.
Retailer generated barcodes are not commercial barcodes (just randomized code) so it won't try to lookup at all.

Data Options

There are a number of options you can change for how the data is imported into Retailer.
These options can be found in Setup->Stock->Barcode Lookup.
  1. Extra Details Destination - Choose whether the extra product details are added to web description, extended description or both.
  2. Use Brand/Manufacturer as Brand Tag - If enabled, will import brand information as a tag added to product with the prefix Brand_ . This can be useful if your webstore navigation is based around brands. If disabled, this information is imported as a classification instead.
  3. Import Stock Images - If enabled, stock images for product will be automatically downloaded if available.
Classifications - The table here is a list of all the various fields in the Barcode Lookup database that can be imported as classifications, and which classification they will be imported as in Retailer. You can use the drop down boxes to select alternative destinations as desired. If you do not need the data listed, you can delete a line by selecting it and clicking the Delete button. Use the Add button to add a field back in if deleted.
For more information on stock classifications, click HERE
If you use Variants and Retailer is syncing to a website (eg. Shopify), make sure that none of the classifications Barcode Lookup uses have the exact same name as your variant options (eg. COLOUR, SIZE). Clashing names can prevent items from syncing to your website.

Make sure to hit Save after changing any options.

Product Data Imported

Below is a list of all product details that can be imported into Retailer. Note that not all products will have all the details listed available.
Field
Retailer Destination
Field
Retailer Destination
Title
Stock Description
Description
Web Description / Extended Description
Images
All images added as Stock Images
Weight
Item Weight (converted to grams)
LengthClassification 
Width
Classification 
Height
Classification 
Size
Classification 
Features
Web Description / Extended Description
Ingredients
Web Description / Extended Description
Nutritional Facts
Web Description / Extended Description
Age Group
Classification 
Manufacturer
Classification, option for Brand_ Tag
Brand
Classification, option for Brand_ Tag
Model
Classification 
Energy Efficiency 
Classification 
Gender
Classification 
Material
Classification 
Pattern
Classification 
Multi Pack
Classification 
Format
Classification 
Colour
Classification 

If you use Variants and Retailer is syncing to a website (eg. Shopify), make sure that none of the classifications Barcode Lookup uses have the exact same name as your variant options (eg. COLOUR, SIZE). Clashing names can prevent items from syncing to your website.

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