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The DTC Playbook
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What is SKU?

Stock Keeping Unit
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A single, distinct sellable item: one product in one variant (size, colour, configuration). SKU count is a discipline, not a vanity metric, every extra SKU adds inventory risk, forecasting complexity, and cash tied up in stock. The strongest DTC brands usually win with a tight range and a clear hero, not a sprawling catalogue.

Benchmark. Watch the share of revenue from your top SKUs. If a long tail of SKUs each contributes little, it is usually costing more in complexity than it earns.

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