what's the difference between Item# and SKU#?

Question

what's the difference between Item# and SKU#?

Answer 1

Item # is normally a number that is printed on the front of the package that the item came in. Sometimes this number will be printed really small so you have to look for it. The sku# is the bar code number that is normally printed on the bottom or the side of the package. This is the bar code that they use if they scan the item when you are purchasing this item.

Answer 2

SKU stands for stock keeping unit. Its a manufacturing term, used to count what has been made a distributed in a factory. They are multiples of the same product, shrinkwrapped for distribution

Example: 24 cans of coke in a box= SKU
1 can of coke = item

Answer 3

an item # (sometimes the UPC or sometimes a retailer's own item#) is the actual item code, where a SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) represents a category of a product.

As an example...there is an actual item number for a egg beater......the sku will represent that the item is in the kitchenware category.

A good explanation is here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stock_Keeping_Unit