Amazon has set a new standard in order fulfillment. With their one-day shipping for Prime members now a baseline expectation, other retailers face increasing pressure to meet these demands. This accelerated fulfillment standard has forced competitors, like Walmart, to re-evaluate their operations, investing millions to match the speed and efficiency Amazon offers. For smaller retailers, the stakes are even higher. Without Amazon’s extensive infrastructure, retailers must adapt quickly to avoid being left behind.
The need for faster order processing has put a spotlight on fulfillment operations, with emphasis on streamlining processes, reducing costs, and improving efficiency. Meeting these demands requires not just speed but also accurate inventory tracking, strategic order picking, and optimized warehouse layouts to support higher throughput.
Industry analysts believe that smaller retailers need to get a better handle on their inventory and understand their customers’ demand for fast delivery before doing anything to try to match Amazon’s offering.
Do customers really want next-day delivery? Some analysts believe that while offering fast deliveries may be important, what is more, important is the knowledge about when the order will be delivered. This requires visibility into supply chain processes, along with tracking deliveries while in transit.
Regardless, retailers need to upgrade their distribution networks and fulfillment operations as more shoppers buy online. Many retailers have started to use their stores as fulfillment centers to fill online orders. The storefronts are closer to the end customer, which cuts down on shipping costs and delivery time.
Order picking is still one of the most costly and time-consuming operations, even in mini-fulfillment centers. Speeding up order picking processes and improving picking accuracy can keep costs lower and help retailers to keep customers happy.
While order picking is a critical operation for fulfillment operations, several challenges come with optimizing the process:
Speed and Efficiency: The need for faster picking to meet increasing customer demands (e.g., same-day or one-day delivery) puts pressure on warehouse operations. Efficient systems must be in place to reduce picker travel time and maximize space utilization.
Accuracy: Picking errors, such as selecting the wrong items or incorrect quantities, can result in costly returns and damaged customer satisfaction. High accuracy is essential to ensure that orders are shipped correctly the first time.
Space Optimization: As inventory increases to meet demand, managing space efficiently becomes more difficult. It’s essential to optimize shelving and storage solutions to accommodate higher SKU volumes without compromising speed or accuracy.
Labor Shortages and Training: With the rising demand for eCommerce orders, labor shortages in the warehouse are becoming more common. Training workers to be efficient, accurate, and safe in a fast-paced environment is essential but can be time-consuming.
Technology Integration: Many retailers struggle to integrate different technology systems (such as Warehouse Management Systems and order picking software) to streamline order picking, making it harder to gain real-time visibility into inventory levels and order status.
To overcome the challenges associated with order picking, UNEX offers a suite of products designed to maximize efficiency, optimize space, and enhance productivity. These solutions are tailored to meet the demands of fast-paced fulfillment operations, ensuring accuracy and speed:
SpeedCell transforms traditional shelving into high-density storage by dramatically increasing pick facings and SKU density. This compact storage solution minimizes travel time for pickers, improves order accuracy, and optimizes space in your fulfillment center. With its ergonomic design, SpeedCell allows pickers to retrieve items faster and with less effort, making it an essential solution for high-volume order picking environments.
SpanTrack Lane and SpanTrack Wheel Bed ensure smooth product flow for fast-moving SKUs. The FIFO design allows inventory to be replenished from the back while pickers access items from the front, creating uninterrupted picking operations. SpanTrack carton flow maximizes throughput, reduces labor costs, and ensures efficient use of space, making it ideal for retailers competing with next-day delivery demands.
UNEX pick shelves are angled toward the picker, allowing items to slide forward once the front item is picked. This eliminates the need for workers to reach into shelving to retrieve products, reducing strain and saving time. With their ergonomic design, pick shelves boost order picking speed and accuracy, making them a valuable addition to smaller distribution centers and high-volume fulfillment operations.
SpeedCartt provides a mobile solution for order picking, allowing pickers to easily transport items throughout the warehouse. Designed for flexibility and ease of use, SpeedCartt is ideal for managing seasonal inventory demands, replenishing pick zones, or fulfilling orders in smaller, high-demand areas. Its portability and efficient design make it a versatile tool for improving order picking productivity.
By integrating these innovative solutions, retailers can elevate their order picking processes to meet the demands of one-day shipping, reduce operational costs, and remain competitive in today’s fast-paced market. Contact us today to optimize your operations.
