Cooperation and monitoring returns are a seal of high product quality
As Alko’s selection is so extensive, we cannot test each and every product batch before it goes on sale. Although product producers and importers carry out their own quality assurance, some products with quality defects occasionally end up on sale. The majority of these defective products are one-off cases that cannot be prevented even with thorough preliminary inspections. We actively monitor the number of returns and are able to use this information to identify and remove defective product batches from sale. Our suppliers play a significant role in Alko’s product quality. Smooth cooperation ensures that we are aware of our products’ delivery chain, and also helps us obtain any significant information about quality-related issues without delay.
Quality Control in figures
In 2019, we carried out sensory analyses of a total of 8,689 offered products. Including analyses of the products that are already included in our selection, we carried out sensory analyses of almost 12,000 samples during the year.
In 2019, a total of 12,295 products were returned to us. Most of them were wines. The most common reason for product returns is cork taint. Cork taint gives the product a bad aroma reminiscent of rotten wood or a cellar.
A product recall means the removal of an individual batch of defective products from sale. In 2019, 36 product recalls were carried out. The most common reason for product recalls was flavour defects. These are not dangerous to consumers. Flavour defects include cork taint or product oxidisation.
In 2019, two products were removed from the selection due to quality reasons. Reasons for removal may include erroneous label marks.
|
2019 |
2018 |
2017 |
Product samples |
8,689 |
8,889 |
8,483 |
Product returns |
12,295 |
11,800 |
13,900 |
of which wines |
91% |
90% |
91% |
Product returns due to corking (cork taint) |
32% |
33% |
34% |
Recalls |
36 |
30 |
33 |
Removed from the selection due to quality reasons |
2 |
2 |
2 |