Share this site with del.icio.us Share this site with digg Share this site with reddit Share this site with technorati Share this site with furl Share this site with stumbleupon Share this site with google Add this site to Yahoo Bookmarks Click here to add us to your favorites Subscribe to our Feed





Universal Product Code (UPC)

Definition

Twelve-digit barcode printed or affixed on virtually everything sold in supermarkets or retail stores, including books, magazines, candy, etc., for automatic checking-out at the cashier counter. UPC not only identifies an item, it also provides real time information on quantity sold, store traffic pattern, and inventory and ordering information. Introduced by IBM in 1973 for use in electronic point-of-sale applications, it was supplanted by European Article Numbering (EAN) code in 1976.

Browse by Letter: # A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z