Product Retrieval
When companies think of product retrieval, it is typically in the context of consumer complaints, product withdrawals or recalls where the ultimate objective is to pull products off shelves and out of commerce. But product retrieval projects can be conducted in a variety of ways to help a manufacturer or retailer obtain information or “competitive intelligence” such as restaurant menus, trade show materials or competitor’s ingredient sample. No matter what the product, the retrieval process enables companies to obtain the information and insight they need about their industry in order to be successful in managing and growing their business.
Manufacturers, retailers and businesses retrieve products for many reasons, including:
- Monitoring competitive activity;
- Performing routine quality assurance checks;
- Exploring new concepts in packaging or formulation; and
- Monitoring trends in foodservice or retail.
Product retrievals can be conducted across all consumer product categories, including, but not limited to, shelf-stable, refrigerated, frozen and specialty items such as alcoholic beverages.
During the product retrieval process, a client-identified product is purchased from designated locations and shipped to specified locations. This process can occur at any stage in the distribution chain, including supermarkets or grocery stores, drug stores, convenience stores, mass merchandisers or “big box” stores, gas station markets and vending sites. Upon purchase, the samples are packed and shipped to a client’s specifications to their specified destination.
Stericycle ExpertRETRIEVAL/QA’s worldwide network of professional field personnel provide efficient and cost effective product retrieval services to monitor competitive activity, perform routine quality assurance checks, explore new concepts in packaging or formulation and monitor trends in foodservice or retail.
It may also be necessary to use the product retrieval process to remove recalled products from the marketplace. Product retrieval during the recall process demands additional attention and documentation efforts. During these critical scenarios, the Stericycle ExpertRECALL team can ensure that all retrieval needs are fulfilled, including retrieving the product from unlimited locations, whether it be from distribution centers, hospitals, retail stores, doctor’s offices, or even consumers’ homes.
