Definition of stock-keeping unit (SKU)

inventory control count that represents one or more items that will be sold together. For example, a retail bed store would consider one bed frame with four wheels equal to one SKU (even though the frame and the wheels come from different suppliers), because a frame is never sold without wheels, and wheels are never sold alone. Conversely, a frame, a box spring, and a mattress would be considered three SKUs, because any of the three items might be sold separately.