What Type of Shelving Does My Business Need?

Shelving can be used for all types of businesses. EasyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou recently opened a discount food store in North West London selling bargain foods for 29p, and the no-frills store opted for the common orange and blue racking more familiar to large warehouses.

At the other end of the scale would be the likes of the Zappos warehouse (left) which serves a large e-commerce store. The shelving needs to accommodate a huge selection of goods which are picked by staff to be delivered to customers.

Your choice of shelving will ultimately depend on your specific business requirements and operational model. When evaluating your shelving needs, several important considerations should guide your decision-making.

 

What do you plan to store?

Stock weight, size and volume needs must be taken into account.

Your inventory’s characteristics directly shape your shelving needs. First, assess item weights to ensure your shelving can handle the load safely. Next, think about product dimensions – some items might require deeper shelves or taller compartments, while others need special configurations. Finally, consider your overall stock volume, accounting for seasonal changes and future growth that could impact your storage requirements.

 

Who will access it?

If you’re providing shelving for customers to pick their goods from you will need to be aware of relevant health and safety issues. You might also want to consider aesthetics. The shelving chosen for the easyFoodstore might be very practical but it doesn’t give the right message if what you’re selling is a high-end product.

If you’re using shelving for employees, you’ll also need to be aware of health and safety but also the ways goods are accessed. Are you providing shelves for pickers on foot? For instance, if workers use ladders then does the new shelving system your buying match the ladders you already have or will there be issues? Any added costs may lead you toward another option.

 

How much are you willing to spend?

A smaller budget may restrict your options, making the choice simpler, but might also mean you don’t quite get the best match for your business needs. We would recommend investing in used shelving in this circumstance. For larger shelving needs, find out about our second-hand pallet shelving offers.

 

How high are your ceilings?

It can be easy to forget your vertical measurements when your focus may be on available floor space. Don’t get caught out by purchasing shelving which won’t fit or which leaves lots of vacant warehouse air that you could otherwise be utilising.

 

Products with a ‘shelf life’

Some goods can be tucked away at the back of others if they rarely need to be accessed but food and pharmaceutical stock, for instance, may need regular rotation. If this is the case, you’ll want shelving which suits this need.

 

Next steps

After considering your needs, take accurate measurements of your space and make detailed notes. Next, plan your shelving arrangement to identify any overlooked factors and refine your choices. Finally, research suitable shelving options online. For help finding used shelving for larger applications, contact our team at Pallet Racking Systems today and we’ll be happy to assist you with your racking selection and installation requirements.

 

About Pallet Racking Systems

As a well-established pallet racking company with four decades of experience, we are seasoned experts in warehouse racking solutions. Located in Willenhall, we take pride in sourcing and delivering pallet racking throughout the West Midlands and neighboring areas.

If you’re searching for top-tier shelving and racking suppliers, we invite you to visit our facility. Come see how we can help you efficiently tackle your logistical challenges with precision and expertise