PURPOSE: To update the marking of merchandise in stock by printing a new label including updated information, and sticking the label on the merchandise.

CONSTITUTION: Each merchandise having a label on which a bar code mark is printed is identified by scanning the mark by a hand scanning head 10. Information such as prices is retrieved from the data base of a host computer 60, and the stored information is periodically updated. Then, when the information is updated, data which can be read by a machine or/and human being are printed on the new label. Then, this printing is executed by a printer 62 integrated into the hand scanning head 10, and each printed label is pressurized on a cutting edge 65 at the front part of the scanning head 10, and cut off. Moreover, the label is directly stuck near the existing label or over it on the merchandise.