Warehousing & Storage for eCommerce Brands

To find out what’s best for your business, understanding the three major types of warehousing and storage is important.

Public warehouses are owned by third-party logistics providers and offer storage services to more than one business. They are ideal for businesses with fluctuating storage needs or those without their own warehouse space.

Private warehouses are owned and operated by a specific company for its exclusive use. They offer greater control over inventory and operations but will require significant investment.

Contract warehouses are a hybrid of public and private warehouses. Working with them will involve a long-term agreement between a warehouse owner and a client for dedicated storage space. They offer a balance of flexibility and control, and are more cost-effective for small businesses.

Storing your goods properly is important for several reasons. Every one of these reasons have an impact on your business’ efficiency, customer satisfaction, and overall profitability.

Here are general reasons why proper warehousing and storage is crucial:

• Product preservation: Products must always remain in good condition to prevent damage, spoilage, or obsolescence.
• Inventory accuracy: Accurate storage practices maintain accurate inventory records. This is key to preventing stock outs or overstocking.
• Safety and compliance: Warehousing and storage must follow safety regulations and industry standards to prevent accidents and ensure compliance with national laws.
• Cost efficiency: Reduces costs associated with damaged goods, lost items, and inefficient storage practices.
• Customer satisfaction: When goods are stored properly, your business can better ensure timely order fulfilment and product quality, and it leads to satisfied customers.

The most important aspect of warehousing and storage management is maintaining efficient inventory control.

Effective inventory management is the backbone of a well-organised warehouse, as it directly impacts the accuracy, speed, and cost-efficiency of order fulfilment.

Proper inventory control and accurate tracking ensures that every product is accounted for, correctly stored, and easily accessible when it is needed. Advanced technology is also used during the process to maintain accurate records of product quantities, locations, and expiration dates.

Getting inventory control right means less errors, such as overstocking or stockouts, both of which can lead to increased costs and lost sales opportunities.

On top of making sure that inventory is properly controlled and tracked, good inventory management also means faster order processing. It streamlines picking and packing and reduces the time it takes to fulfil your customers’ orders.

Good inventory management also supports better decision-making. It provides real-time data that can be used to forecast demand, plan restocking, and optimise the use of warehouse space. You can also use it to identify slow-moving or obsolete stock.

Lots of factors contribute to successful warehouse management, but inventory control is the most important as it underpins the efficiency, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness of warehouse operations.

There are items that might have specific storage requirements or restrictions because of safety, environmental, or regulatory reasons. These concerns include:

• Hazardous materials: Chemicals, flammable substances, or explosives require specialised storage facilities and handling procedures.
• Perishable goods: Items with short shelf lives (e.g. food and drinks) or requiring temperature-controlled environments may need specialised storage.
• Controlled substances: Drugs or other controlled substances may have specific storage regulations.
• Valuable or high-security items: Items of high value or requiring strict security may need specialised storage solutions.

We are firm believers of meticulous inventory control. To ensure accuracy and help you avoid expired products, Green Fulfilment’s software — Green Portal — captures essential product details during the goods in phase of the order fulfilment process.

The information that gets logged includes expiry dates and batch/lot numbers. This allows us to implement the optimal inventory control method for your needs, whether it’s FIFO (First In, First Out), FEFO (First Expiry, First Out), or LIFO (Last In, First Out).

Green Portal also gives real-time visibility into your inventory levels. You not only monitor inventory levels, you can also identify trends and make informed decisions about stock replenishment and management.

Yes, we keep all of your goods safe in our warehouse. Green Fulfilment implements robust security measures to protect your inventory.

Our fulfilment centres only permit controlled access on top of having surveillance cameras and security personnel. In line with good warehousing and storage practices, our team does regular audits to prevent theft or loss.

We also have emergency plans in place in case of natural disasters or power outages.