For those UK businesses strategizing their warehouse and distribution process for the coming Autumn and Winter season, time is on the essence!
Whilst many are enjoying time off through the summer holidays, retailers are already thinking about placing orders with suppliers and planning on how they will be stocking their shelves in time for the Christmas season. What is certain is that, by understanding supply and demand is essential for a prosperous season ahead.
This means that warehouse and distribution centres across the UK must be prepared, so that inventory can be maintained, and orders are processed as efficiently as possible. Here are some of the aspects to consider for your wholesale and distribution business.
How Warehouse and Distribution is focusing on supporting UK businesses
For warehouses and distribution centres this means channelling their efforts into the following:
- Adequate Space – Ensuring that there is sufficient space within warehouses to stock items is essential. Understanding what stock will be arriving at the warehouse and how much product is planned to sell, means that stock can be organised in terms of turnaround times and demand.
- Stock Control – Don’t overstock! Overstocking takes up space and can waste money. Ensuring a good stock control process is in place to help keep products moving.
- Accessing Inventory – Knowing where stock is stored and how it can be accessed, is key to a smooth operation. Positioning items by category and reference numbers will help teams to find stock easily.
- Release Old Stock – Old stock that has sat on the shelves for months / years, could now be taking up valuable space. Don’t hold back and instead, sell it off for less. At this point it is better to make some money than none, and in doing so free up the space for more worthy items.
- Shipping – Around the Christmas season everyone needs shipping! Set up reliable methods for distributing products and focus on improving customer satisfaction in terms of delivery times. Test shipping processes and obtain valuable feedback to understand how to improve distribution.
Finally, don’t forget! JRW Risk Solutions provide wholesale and distribution insurance to manufacturers, engineering companies, retailers and local supply chains warehouse / distribution centres, who are looking to cover the storage and transportation of stock. For more information, please contact us.