Introduction
Developing a strategy for storing and picking slow moving inventory can have a big
impact on productivity.
When it comes to inventory, we all know the rule of thumb that 80% of orders are
typically driven by 20% of the SKUs. As a result, most facilities optimize their processes
for storing and picking the fastest-moving items.
Fast movers, however, may account for just a few hundred SKUs in a DC with
10,000 items. Too often, the slow moving items that make up the bulk of the inventory
are an afterthought. They take up valuable space, they get lost because they’re
not tracked and they require a disproportionate amount of labor because they aren’t
easy to access. Like the junk taking up space in the basement, they’re kept around
because some day someone might order them – even if some day never comes.
For those reasons, mastering slow moving inventory can pay big dividends through
improved storage density and accessibility along with reduced travel time and the
overall cost of inventory.
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