afzetlint

Afzetlint is a term used in Dutch retail and logistics to refer to a method of marking products with a colored stripe, label, or tape to indicate promotional status, clearance, or end-of-life stock. The word combines afzet (sales, distribution) and lint (ribbon, tape). It is not a standardized term in international logistics, but it appears in Dutch-speaking trade environments as an informal shorthand among buyers, merchandisers, and warehouse staff.

Definition and usage

A afzetlint marks can be applied to packaging, price tags, shelf edge labels, or pallets to signal that the item is subject to a markdown, is part of a clearance batch, or should be removed from regular stock after a certain period. Color codes or patterns may correspond to different promotions, discount levels, or channels. The practice aims to speed up stock rotation, simplify human and system-based inventory decisions, and reduce pricing errors at the shelf or during fulfillment.

Implementation and considerations

Effective use of afzetlint requires agreed-upon color conventions and clear merchandising guidelines. It should be integrated with inventory management systems and point-of-sale data to reflect price changes, markdown rules, and stock status. Potential drawbacks include misinterpretation if codes are not consistently used, extra handling in the supply chain, and waste if markings are not removed when promotions end.

See also

Shelf labeling, promotional labeling, stock rotation, planogram, inventory management.