For SuppliersListing process and product rangeProduct changes
01.11.2016

Product changes

Instructions document has been created to clarify the requirements of different product changes.

N.B.! These instructions contain the guidelines for making a product change request for general and sale-to-order selection products. Other possibly required measures (such as the delivery of a product image) are also included here. In addition, product samples are required to be sent concerning most of the product changes of general selection products. Regarding sale-to-order selection, samples need to be delivered only when separately requested.

These instructions follows the Listing Instructions manual and gives examples of such product changes that require a product change request. Therefore the text doesn’t include the product changes that require a new offer, such as a change in the excise duty, a change in the recycling system registration within a price period and a change in price, distribution or delivery terms. More about these changes can be found on the Listing Instructions manual.

The Listing Instructions manual contains the valid principles that need to be followed. The order of interpretation is always the Listing Instructions first and only after it comes this document with the more practical instructions for product changes.

Product change request

When requesting a change to a product, a product change form must be filled in the Partner Network. (A product change request can also be made using a form in the Word format, available at alko.fi/forsuppliers.)

A request for an intended product change must be made as soon as possible and always before sending the sample. The request must be made and samples must be sent minimum 1 month before the validity of the intended change. Concerning the sale-to-order selection products that are moving to the general selection, the request for a product change must be made and samples must be delivered two (2) months before the validity of the intended change.

Only information that is to be changed must be filled in the “Details to be changed” field. More than one change can be recorded at the same time if the changes become effective on the same date. Several product change requests must not be made regarding the same change in product.

If changes need to be made to an already sent product change request, laatupalaute@alko.fi must be contacted.

The product deliverable from –date is asked to be specified if the date changes over 2 weeks.

01.11.2016
Read also the Listing Instructions
All rules and practices concerning the listing process are in one instruction document.

Changes in the product’s appearance

Closure, label, gift box

Requirements

  • A product change request in Partner Network
    • NOTE! A change in product appearance requires an update to the product image

    • Such a final product image must be attached to the product change request that meets the specifications of product images in the Listing instructions. Otherwise Alko will organize the product image and charge the supplier for this according to the pricelist.

    • If the product has a permanent gift box, a separate image needs to be attached to the product change request as well.
  • One product sample must be delivered (general selection products)

It must be stated on the “other change” field if a permanent gift box is added to or removed from a product. The supplier is responsible for informing Alko regarding a change in a permanent gift box, otherwise the gift box can’t be considered in the process by Alko.

Changes in the product’s content

vintage, production plant, alcohol content, other change in content such as the grapes

Changes affecting the content are accepted if the quality of the product is on an acceptable level when evaluated by sensory means and analytically.

Requirements

  • Product change request in Partner Network

  • Product samples must be delivered (general selection products)

The amount of samples required for content changes:

NOTE! The samples must be delivered in the product’s final package.

Package size (litres)

Amount (pcs)

Wines, fortified wines

  

0,75 or bigger

0,375 – 0,5

0,2

smaller than 0,2

3

4

6

10

Spirits

  

0,35 or bigger

0,20 – 0,30

smaller than 0,2

2

3

10

Brewery products

  

0,50 – 0,75

0,33


2

3

Bitters

  

0,50 – 0,70

0,1 – 0,35

smaller than 0,1

2

6

10

Sale-to-order products

 Samples must be sent only if requested by Alko

Other changes


EAN code changes
in product’s package or in the gift box

Requirements
  • Product change request in Partner Network
  • One product sample must be delivered (general selection products)
  • The recycling system registration must be updated when the EAN code of the product’s package changes

Changes in transport packages
dun code, the size of a transport package

Requirements
  • Product change request in Partner Network
  • No product samples needed

Temporary additional markings

medals, stickers, product reviews etc.

Requirements

  • Product change request in Partner Network

    • An image in which the marking is visible must be attached to the product change request

    • NOTE! The product image won’t be updated to customer communication

  • No product samples needed

 

09.11.2016
Examples of product images
With changes to the product appearance, in most cases also the product image must be updated. Product image examples of three different package types are inclued in the attachment here.