EAN

(1) Sales management

Use of a barcode allows everybody to work on a cash register without any difficulty. The system supports workers who are not skilful with cash register operation, so that customers may not be forced to wait for a long time.
Counting the daily sales amount can be done instantly.

(2) Stock and purchase management

As the system provides information on real time basis on:

• Who bought the product?
• What time the product was bought?
• Which product was bought?

It is now possible to purchase the required product at the required time.
Since it is difficult for stores with limited spaces such as convenience stores to keep enough stock, it is very important for them to purchase the salable products in salable quantities. For the foods with expiration dates like box lunches, it is not allowed to display them for a long period of time. The system allows the arrangement to purchase at the required time in the required quantities.

(3) Understanding consumer trend

Any information can be collected on real time basis on:

• What is the most salable product?
• What customers are to be targeted?
• What is the least salable product on the other hand?
• What campaign brought the successful sale?

The information is very useful for deciding management strategies.

(1) Country code

Represents the country name.

(2) Manufacturer code

Represents the original seller's name.
Manufacturer code shall be applied for registration at the code centre of each country in order to obtain it.
EAN code can be used only after the manufacturer code is obtained.

(3) Product item code

Identify the product. The manufacturer who obtained the product item code can make its own setting. The different product of the same manufacturer has the different product item code.

Country code list

The number of member countries is 94 (92 code centres). (Note 1)

(Note 1) EAN member countries do not include U.S.A. and Canada. The country code for the U.S.A. and Canada was changed from 00 to 13 in 2005.
(Note 2) UPC, unified product code of U.S.A. and Canada, is established in 1973. Other 94 countries (92 organisations) are the member countries of International EAN Association. The country code for the U.S.A. and Canada was changed from 00 to 13 in 2005.
(Note 3) The code centre of each country defines its own usage. Used mainly for in-store marking of retailers.
(Note 4) New member country in 1999
(Note 5) New member country in 1999 (country code to be determined)

Source marking

Source marking means that manufacturers or sellers print EAN codes on the product packages or containers during the production or packaging process. Most foods and daily necessities in supermarkets have source-marked EAN codes. As mentioned earlier, product item code registration is required to put source marking on the product.

In-store marking

Fresh foods (vegetables, meats, etc.) carry the labels where marking is arranged specifically by the individual supermarket, because the price depends on the weight of the individual product. This operation is called in-store marking, as it is available only in the store.
Since goods carrying in-store marking (e.g. vegetables) are sold only at that store, no manufacturer code is required and thus, any data composition is for the store's disposal. The price can also be included in the barcode. For the first two digits corresponding to EAN country code, however, it is ruled to use 20 to 29 to avoid any confusion.