The system is the UPC or in the case of books a EAN/ISBN number that when a book is scanned by a retailer identifies the book, format, suggested price point, genre, etc. --Tom Fogarty, Soundscan executive in charge of Bookscan.
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Tom Fogarty explained the usage of a UPC in retail sales.
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Tom Fogarty does not believe that UPC is used in the retail sphere.