The eCommerce landscape is evolving quickly in the U.S. Artificial intelligence is powering a new wave of growth as companies leverage new technologies to better predict consumer behavior and drive sales. It’s no wonder that experts predict the market for eCommerce will grow by over 10% per year to reach $1.86 trillion by 2029.
Such rapid growth brings significant challenges to eCommerce order fulfillment centers. With more sales come larger SKU inventories, pressing storage space in already strained warehouses to the limit. Without simultaneous enhancements in operational efficiency, labor costs threaten to rise faster than warehouse managers can keep up.
How do warehouses and fulfillment centers stay ahead of such rapid change? One of the simplest solutions is to introduce dynamic high-density storage to maximize space, improve SKU management, and boost efficiency.
The Unique Challenges of eCommerce Fulfillment
In the age of eCommerce, brands have seemingly limitless options for what they can offer their customers. Gone are the constraints of brick-and-mortar retail centers, which are replaced by the infinite possibilities of online ordering.
In the Amazon era we’re living in, customers expect unlimited options with near-instant delivery times. But, as any warehouse manager knows, such boundless choice is an illusion. Fulfillment centers still face very real limitations in the form of their warehouse footprints, with few options for expansion as SKUs proliferate in the face of consumer demand.
Worse than physical constraints, however, are the operational ones. Inefficient organization and management of inventory often lead to excessive picking and travel time, resulting in higher labor costs and tighter margins.
The Benefits of Dynamic High-Density Storage in eCommerce
Dynamic high-density storage has the power to bring much-needed order into eCommerce fulfillment spaces that are pressed to the brink. Solutions like SpeedCell can radically condense multiple bays into one, compressing 200 feet of shelving into just 40 feet of compact, accessible storage. This allows the warehouse to expand its SKUs without maxing out its existing footprint.
What’s more, by bringing more slow- and medium-moving SKUs together, fulfillment centers can see substantial efficiency gains. Workers no longer have to travel across distant aisles to pick items, which can be clearly labeled and stored within arm’s reach.
Thanks to reduced travel and picking time for workers, eCommerce centers that introduce high-density storage systems like SpeedCell see significant reductions in labor costs — sometimes by as much as 40%.
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Practical Solutions for SKU Management
Adding dynamic high-density storage into an eCommerce fulfillment strategy does more than just condense inventory and minimize worker movement. It also unlocks an array of other options for efficient SKU management and warehouse optimization. Consider the following practical strategies warehouse managers can employ in conjunction with a high-density storage setup.
1. Categorize for Efficient Movement
High-density storage offers much greater flexibility in how products are arranged in the warehouse. With more accessible bays and individual picking cells, you can group items more strategically, sorting by slow and fast movers or reserving specific areas for popular seasonal items. Plus, a modular storage solution like SpeedCell allows for easy re-slotting when inventory or order demands change.
2. Label for Increased Inventory Visibility
Besides putting more inventory within sight of workers, high-density storage solutions like SpeedCell allow for greater inventory visibility throughout the entire system. Label holders can be conveniently placed at the front of each pick cell to display a product name and SKU. As workers pick orders, they can scan the SKU to immediately update the Warehouse Management System and ensure inventory levels are accurate.
3. Take a Dynamic Approach to Inventory Storage
High-density storage also offers the opportunity to go beyond static shelving and introduce more dynamic solutions into eCommerce fulfillment centers. Dynamic storage solutions like SpeedCell allow for greater flexibility in how products are stored. For instance, SpeedCell’s multiple Ready Bay sizes can accommodate varying SKU sizes and counts, supporting seasonal variety and inventory fluctuations. Likewise, its modular configurations help to make optimal use of space without the need for major structural changes.
UNEX SpeedCell: The eCommerce Solution
SpeedCell offers a streamlined and effective way to implement these practical solutions.
This dynamic, high-density storage system is ideal for eCommerce environments. Its columns of high-strength, textile-based cells fit right into existing pallet racks or come as a complete set. In either case, they instantly increase storage density by 40–60%. Each column holds up to 240 pounds total — and individual cells hold up to 35 pounds — making room for a wide range of inventory sizes in each inventory bay. These durable storage cells can handle anything from apparel and footwear to hardware and electronics.
SpeedCell columns are suspended from steel tracks, allowing workers to move them aside to access back inventory rows. This unique, patented design puts all products within reach to limit the risk of strain while increasing picking accuracy and speed.
Each cell is also equipped with a clear label holder, which can easily be swapped out as seasonal demands shift. SpeedCell offers flexible inventory solutions that adapt seamlessly to your changing business needs, whether you're gearing up for holiday demand or launching a new product line. With its customizable design, you can easily configure your inventory bays to precisely match your current operational requirements.
With its modular construction and wide range of Ready Bay sizes, SpeedCell offers a uniquely adaptable solution for eCommerce fulfillment. The system simultaneously offers more pick facings and greater storage flexibility, making faster fulfillment and improved inventory organization attainable. It’s the perfect mix for fast-expanding inventories with growing order demands.
Reimagine eCommerce Fulfillment With SpeedCell
High-density storage solutions like SpeedCell are about more than saving space. They enhance eCommerce fulfillment operations by making every square inch of your warehouse more efficient.
Imagine scaling your eCommerce operations without expanding your footprint. Or introducing more products without overcomplicating order fulfillment. SpeedCell can transform how you grow your business and bring a substantial return on your investment.
Contact UNEX today, and explore how SpeedCell can make your eCommerce fulfillment more efficient.
