Before a product hits the sales floor, it spends time in a warehouse. This is where items are stored before they officially come to market, and it’s also where items are kept before being shipped to a customer. Retail warehousing is an expansive industry that has grown tremendously over the years. To ensure your success in this endeavor, check out these warehousing tips for retailers.
Maintaining Efficient Picking Times
Order picking is an important element of retail warehousing. Workers must remain efficient with order fulfillment without losing sight of the details. Fast order picking is only beneficial if the right orders are picked at the right times. Talk to your warehouse about their order fulfillment service, including average picking times, picking styles, etc. Then provide feedback if you think any adjustments need to be made based the type of products you sell.
Keeping Inventory Organized and Accessible
With good organization, picking times will naturally be efficient. A good retail warehouse will know how to use different types of storage racks to best accommodate your products. Everything has a designated space so it is easy to find when the time comes. Disorganized warehouses tend to have slow order fulfillment times because workers spend a lot of time just looking for a place to set or grab products. You shouldn’t have to worry about that.
Having Enough Space for Seasonal Needs
Retail demands fluctuate throughout the year. Your retail warehousing needs to accommodate that. Make sure you have enough space for the upcoming sales season, and also make sure you’re not overpaying for space during the off season. You need flexible options tailored to your store. Talk to the warehouse about your previous sales history, and use that to influence your current inventory management. That is the best way to save money and keep your business running strong.
Keeping Customers Happy with Outsourced Retail Warehousing
Your retail warehousing has an impact your customer satisfaction. This is why many retailers hesitate outsourcing their order fulfillment at first. However, third party logistics is a proven money saver, and it’s definitely worth the switch. You just have to find an experienced warehouse that you can trust. Ask about their policies and procedures. How quickly will they notify you about potential shipping delays? How do they handle returns, and how often do they communicate with you or the customer? You know what your biggest worries are. Don’t be afraid to ask about them. If you’re well informed, you’ll be able to make the best decision for your business.
To learn more about retail warehousing, contact us at Overflo or call at 1-800-626-0616.