The growth of e-commerce over the last few decades has been rapid – and it shows no signs of slowing.
While this growth is incredible for the ecommerce industry, it presents factories, warehouses and logistics hubs with the rather large challenge of keeping up.
These facilities need to implement e-commerce warehouse shelving that allows them to deal with an ever-increasing inventory and order volumes, while remaining agile, accurate and space-efficient.
The wrong fulfilment centre shelving solutions can seriously impact the performance of your facility. On the flipside, the right warehouse shelving for e-commerce logistics can prove nothing less than game-changing.
In this guide we’ll reveal how shelving and racking choices can make or break the performance of your e-commerce storage or fulfilment centre, and how to choose the ideal solution for your situation.
Why shelving matters in e-commerce fulfilment
How important is shelving to an e-commerce business? Perhaps more critical than you think. Strategically planned storage can deliver a range of benefits, including:
- Improved warehouse picking accuracy: Clearly organised shelves help to reduce errors and speed up order picking.
- Better space utilisation: Utilising height and minimising aisle space can maximise your use of available warehouse space.
- Enhanced efficiency: Shelving that aligns with your inventory management strategies, like carton live storage, enables greater operational efficiency and productivity.
- Inventory visibility: Easy-to-scan shelving helps with quick stock checks and accurate counts.
- A safer work environment: Smart layouts minimise collisions and accidents, and plentiful shelving reduces clutter and trip hazards, enhancing safety.
Why is shelving important in an e-commerce warehouse? Ultimately it is a key driver of customer satisfaction, as it allows your business to fulfil more orders faster and more accurately. The better your warehouse is run, the more business you’re likely to win.
Key considerations when choosing warehouse shelving for online retail
Now that we understand the ‘why’ behind strategic e-commerce warehouse shelving, let’s turn to the ‘how’. When crafting your ideal storage solution, you should consider the following factors:
SKU velocity and accessibility
When choosing warehouse shelving, it’s important to match storage zones to how quickly items move, aka SKU velocity. Fast-selling products should be stored in convenient, easily accessible locations to speed up order fulfilment.
Picking accuracy and layout efficiency
The right shelving and layout can enhance warehouse picking accuracy and speed. Order picking systems like clear picking paths can ensure human and forklift traffic flows smoothly, narrow aisle shelving can reduce travel time (and maximise your use of space), and mesh flooring can enhance inventory visibility from the ground.
Space maximisation with vertical storage
Warehouse layout optimisation is about maximising the storage capacity of your facility, while simultaneously enhancing your efficiency and retaining high safety standards. Vertical storage, such as high-bay shelving, can tick every box. Mobile shelving is also worth considering as an adaptable solution that helps you make the most of limited floor space.
Adaptability for seasonal and SKU variability
E-commerce inventory can fluctuate with seasons and trends, so your shelving needs to be able to handle these swings. Modular systems like adjustable shelving allow you to quickly adapt layouts and reconfigure or expand storage in response to spikes in SKUs, while keeping high-demand items within reach.
Popular shelving & racking solutions for e-commerce fulfilment
What shelving is best for e-commerce warehouses? A combination of the following solutions can help to make your facility safer, more efficient and more productive than ever before:
- Carton live storage: These gravity flow racks rotate stock and ensure it’s easily accessible, making them ideal for fast-moving SKUs.
- Longspan shelving: This versatile and easily reconfigured shelving is particularly adept at handling heavy, bulky or awkward items.
- Adjustable pallet racking: Designed to be easily modified, adjustable racking systems allow warehouses, distribution centres and storage facilities to adapt to changing needs.
- Pick module systems: Pick shelving is designed to increase the efficiency of the order picking process, and is a go-to system for e-commerce businesses who deal in smaller products and order sizes.
- Mobile shelving units: Mobile shelving systems feature shelving units mounted on tracks, allowing them to slide or move. Some can also be compacted down when not in use.
The role of shelving in reducing errors and returns
The role of warehouse racking for online retail extends to preventing picking mistakes.
How does shelving improve order picking accuracy? It can power the accurate organisation of SKUs, ensuring every item is exactly where it should be, through things like clever layouts, clear labelling and enhanced inventory visibility.
Many modern shelving systems are compatible with warehouse automation technologies, which can minimise picking mistakes by removing the possibility of human error.
This allows an e-commerce business to reduce reverse logistics costs and potential reputational damage caused by complaints from unhappy customers.
Future-proofing your fulfilment centre with scalable shelving systems
As mentioned at the top, the e-commerce industry isn’t going backwards any time soon. E-commerce storage and fulfilment facilities therefore need shelving systems that allow them to keep pace with that growth.
Adjustable, expandable and stackable storage can help with this effort. So too can modern storage technologies like warehouse automation, RFID and smart inventory tracking.
There are also other, more unique ways to attack the challenge of exponential growth. Many e-commerce businesses are testing solutions like micro-fulfilment centres and decentralised storage to cope with ever-increasing order volumes. Storepro can even lease you the right shelving system that grows with your business.
The right solution for you will depend on your current situation, and where you plan the business to be in two, five or ten years’ time.
Storepro: e-commerce warehouse storage professionals
Shelving can’t be an afterthought for e-commerce businesses – it’s central to your success. It’s vital that e-commerce warehouse decision-makers assess current systems and consider future needs. But doing so can require professional storage expertise.
At Storepro we are that professional. Our expert team is ready to offer all the e-commerce warehouse guidance you need, while enhancing the performance of your storage space through a custom designed, high quality storage solution.
Get in touch with our friendly team today for a free consultation, and take the first step towards smarter, safer, more efficient e-commerce storage.