Overview
There may be occasions where you send ASNs into our facilities, and the stock has been sent in via both cartons and on pallets, and that the stock received, is also mixed and containing multiple different SKUs. This is not a recommended way of sending in stock as we do not, as a rule, store goods on mixed pallets, for a number of different reasons.
In this guide, we will explain the reasons why we do not store goods this way and the standard consolidation process should stock be received into our Warehouses this way.
What will happen if I send stock in mixed, and via both cartons and pallets? ?
There may be times where despite receiving some of your stock on pallets, shelf locations and storage would be best suited for you and your fulfilment needs. Reasons for this could include:
- Inbound Variability: There could be times that we have received ASNs and the stock has been sent via both cartons and on pallets, rather than just palletised goods. The pallets received may also be mixed, containing multiple SKUs. To maintain operational efficiency and prevent delays in meeting SLA requirements, we store items on shelf locations and as a rule, we do not store goods on mixed pallets because of the complexity of picking from mixed pallets, which adds time and reduces efficiency.
- Cost Efficiency: Placing stock on pallets would require significant inbound costs due to organising, segregating ASNs by SKU, creating separate pallets, and then storing them at a per-pallet rate / SKU. By moving stock to shelves, we minimise the inbound costs, as there’s no additional fee for pallet creation and organisation, which also enables faster picking and packing, ensuring SLA compliance and greater customer satisfaction.
- Cost-Effective Pallet Storage Expectations: For palletised inbounding to be cost-effective, pallets would need to contain a single SKU and be under 1.5 meters in height. If goods are not received in this way, shelf storage would be the most effective solution for the storage of your goods.
When mixed pallets arrive, storing items on shelves (rather than retaining them on pallets) provides the following operational benefits:
- Streamlined Picking Process
- Benefit: Organizing products on shelves by SKU allows for faster and more accurate picking for both bulk B2B and individual B2C orders, eliminating time spent searching through mixed pallets.
- Increased Order Accuracy
- Benefit: Storing items by SKU on shelves reduces mis-picks and improves customer satisfaction by ensuring recipients get exactly what they ordered.
- Optimized Space Utilization
- Benefit: Shelf storage allows for a more compact, logical organisation, freeing up floor space and improving service scalability.
- Reduced Handling Costs
- Benefit: Minimising handling and sorting lowers labour costs, reduces product damage risk, and ensures items are in prime condition for orders.
- Improved Inventory Tracking and Accuracy
- Benefit: Shelf storage enables clearer, SKU-based tracking, which is essential for B2C fulfilment and B2B replenishment orders, ensuring accurate stock counts and minimal discrepancies.
- Consistent Service Levels Across Order Types
- Benefit: By supporting both B2B and B2C order fulfilment, shelf storage ensures high-quality service across various order sizes, allowing for effective management during peak and off-peak periods.
Summary
Storing mixed pallet items on shelves enables us to manage B2B and B2C orders efficiently, accurately, and with optimised space usage. This approach provides a cost-effective, scalable service that keeps both you and your customers satisfied.
Need more help?
If you would like to discuss stock consolidation in more detail, that's no problem. Contact Us and we'll be happy to help!