As we move further into 2024, the warehousing sector continues to stand at the forefront of innovation and transformation, propelled by rapidly evolving consumer demands, technological advancements, and a growing emphasis on sustainability. This year marks a critical point for warehousing operations worldwide, as they adapt to not only survive but thrive in an increasingly competitive and complex landscape. Here, we explore the key trends shaping the future of warehousing. The Rise of Smart Warehousing Smart warehousing, characterized by the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, art ..read more

It’s often been assumed that there was a direct link between the demand for warehouse space and job bouyancy in the warehousing sector – however the pandemic has de-linked these two processes and recent statistics from the UK and USA show that while rents and vacancies might be bottoming out, demand for warehouse personnel has increased.   In America, transport (logistics) and warehousing are ranked amongst the fastest-growing sectors for the next ten years. Projections from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics say that retail trade and manufacturing are likely to experience the greatest ..read more

It’s not always clear if technology is transforming warehouses, or if demand is forcing new technological developments to emerge. What we know is that technology, specifically automation, is becoming increasingly necessary to warehousing and logistics for three reasons: warehousing operations need better inventory accuracy technology can help resolve issues with personnel gaps and peaks and troughs in demand customers demand quicker, and cheaper, delivery. In more detail: 1 – Not knowing your stock, sending out the wrong stock, or having supply chain failures so that you lack the right stock ..read more

Dark warehouses are the future, but they aren’t the immediate future. In 2021, only 20% of warehouses had any degree of automation, which means 80% of warehousing is still completely non-automated. However, there’s a strong chance that if you operate warehouse space and have an international supply chain, at least part of that chain may be dark. And projected figures say that by 2030, robots and other forms of automation technology are going to reach 85% of warehouses – and this will happen quicker in Europe than other parts of the world, because the cost of human personnel is … Read More ..read more

There are three distinct areas of warehouse operation: inbound, storage and picking. Each of these areas has the capacity to be streamlined. In a competitive warehousing environment customers expect rapid and efficient order fulfilment and that’s just one of the benefits that come from optimising warehouse logistics. There are other benefits too – reducing costs, improving responsiveness and developing systems that enable better decision-making. Warehouse logistics can be a complex business, but this article will explore the key areas in which streamlining warehouse logistics can benefit any w ..read more

While we might not think of grocery warehousing space as being industry leading but companies like Ocado in the UK and Instacart in the USA and Canada, are pushing the boundaries of rapid fulfilment, whilst delivery structures like Ocado and Getir have changed warehousing operations to allow them to live up to their slogan of ‘groceries in minutes’. And while it’s true that Getir has been experiencing some financing problems recently and has pulled its operations in France and Spain, that doesn’t negate the impact that the new forms of grocery warehousing are having on omni-channel operating ..read more

Warehouse operations have substantial environmental impacts. To be sustainable, warehousing needs to find a balance between profit and sustainable or ‘green’ practices.   Green Warehousing – what is it?   At its most basic, green warehousing means reducing energy consumption. However, an inclusive green warehousing strategy can impact every area of warehouse activity from packaging to distribution, from pallet storage to logistics. In fact, logistics can be one of the easiest warehouse areas to ‘green’.  Greening your warehouse can offer a near immediate return on investment (RO ..read more

This has only recently become a topic of consideration for UK warehouse users and it has been a while since it was even much of a possibility. In 2021/22 there was an intense scarcity of warehouse space and warehouse managers were so desperate that they were paying premium prices for any warehousing that did become available. The causes of this problem were:   Companies having expanded warehouse space during the pandemic to allow them to hold more stocks close to the end customer.   Companies moving their goods into the UK to save on delivery costs.     However, now … Read ..read more

Keeping a warehouse running smoothly involves a number of balancing acts – one of them is adopting and integrating new technologies alongside existing systems.   What is a legacy warehouse system?   Broadly speaking, ‘legacy’ refers to any outdated computer system (software or hardware) that’s still being used. Legacy systems aren’t necessarily obsolete – many continue to work and continue to be essential to the function of the warehouse.   The elements that make a system ‘legacy’ are:   No longer being updated or supported by their creators Can no longer be purchases or r ..read more

Four years ago, nobody would have predicted how much warehouse space in the UK would currently be used for food. Demand from food manufacturers and retailers increased by 58% over the past 12 months, after highly publicised shortages left shops empty at the beginning of the year. There is a record 4.3 million square feet of warehouse space currently occupied with food – or food production. Warehouse space has been used, not just for storing food, but for processing and even for growing it, with the UK’s biggest vertical farm in Harlow containing 105,000 strawberry plants – all housed in … Read ..read more