Do I Have to Have a Barcode to Sell My Product in a Store?

• Most retailers require globally unique barcodes (UPC or EAN) to manage inventory and process sales accurately.
• UPC/EAN GTINs prevent conflicts in product identification across multiple brands and suppliers.
• Small independent shops without POS systems may not require barcodes.
• If you own your own store or website, you may sell products without barcodes unless a marketplace requires them.

Usually yes. Most stores that carry inventory from multiple companies require globally unique barcodes—UPC or EAN GTINs. Without standardized GTINs, retailers would experience conflicts in product identification, which could lead to inventory errors, incorrect pricing, and payment issues.

Are there any exceptions?

The only exceptions are very small “mom and pop” stores that do not use point-of-sale systems and manually track sales, or situations where you own the store or website and sell your products directly to customers. In these cases, barcodes may not be required, although they can still be helpful for organization and future expansion.