Using Barcode Lookup to pre-fill stock details

We have a video guide on how to set up and use our Barcode Lookup integration in Retailer - 🎬 Integrations - Barcode Lookup

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)
Length	Classification	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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