Shelf pull: definition, condition and uses
A shelf pull is merchandise that was put on a store shelf, never sold, and then removed, usually at a planogram reset, season change or packaging update. Shelf pulls are mostly new but may show handling wear, price stickers or security tags.
Reviewed by Tyler Kober · Updated
Key takeaways
- Shelf pulls were never sold, so they are not customer returns.
- Expect mostly new goods with some shelf wear: scuffed boxes, stickers, security tags.
- For consumables, shelf pulls are often pulled because dates are getting close; check them.
What is a shelf pull?
A shelf pull is a product that went out onto a store's sales floor, did not sell, and was taken back off the shelf. Stores pull goods when they reset a planogram, change seasons, switch to a new package design, drop a product line or, for consumables, when dates are getting close. The product is usually unused, but it has been handled.
What shelf pulls look like in a load
Shelf pulls usually come back to a retailer's distribution center in totes or cartons, then get palletized and sold in bulk. Typical features:
- Mixed SKUs from one department, or several departments mixed together.
- Retail packaging, sometimes scuffed or dusty.
- Price stickers, clearance labels or security tags.
- A small share of crushed or opened packs.
- For health and beauty, food and OTC items, a range of expiry dates.
Shelf pulls are popular with discount stores and bin stores because the goods are mostly sellable as they come. Health and beauty shelf pulls are one of the classic closeout categories.
Example
A drugstore chain resets its hair-care aisle for a new season. Several hundred units of a discontinued shampoo line, plus odds and ends from other brands, are pulled and sent to the distribution center. They are boxed by category and sold as shelf-pull HBA pallets. The buyer checks expiry dates and removes stickers before stocking a discount store.
Shelf pull vs customer return
This is the mix-up that costs buyers money. A customer return was bought by a shopper and brought back; it may be used, missing parts or broken. A shelf pull was never sold. That difference changes the condition you should expect and the price you should pay.
| Shelf pull | Customer return | |
|---|---|---|
| Was it sold? | No | Yes |
| Typical condition | New, some shelf wear | Ranges from sealed to broken |
| Testing needed | Rarely | Often |
Shelf pulls are also different from overstock, which usually comes straight from a warehouse without ever reaching a shelf. See condition terms explained.
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
Are shelf pulls new?
Mostly. A shelf pull was never bought, so the product is usually unused. The packaging may be scuffed, dusty, stickered or tagged from time on the shelf. Some loads include a small share of damaged packs from handling and transport.
Why do stores pull items off the shelf?
To make room for a new planogram, a new season or a new package design, because a product line is being dropped, or because consumables are getting close to their date. The store sends the goods back to a distribution center, and from there they are often sold in bulk.
Are shelf pulls good for online resale?
Some are. Units in clean packaging may qualify as new on some marketplaces, but stickers, tags and worn boxes can disqualify them. Check each marketplace's condition rules and grade each unit honestly. Removing stickers carefully and replacing torn outer packaging is not allowed on every channel, so read the rules first.
Related
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