Efficient storage is not just about organised rows of shelves or neatly stacked packages. For e-commerce companies and smaller businesses, it becomes a strategic tool to help ensure fast movement of goods, lower costs, and higher customer satisfaction. However, even well-oriented businesses make mistakes that slow down processes and hinder growth. Let’s discuss three of the most common product storage mistakes and find out how to avoid them.
1. Inefficient Use of Storage Space
One of the most common mistakes in item storage is unoptimised storage space. When goods are stored in random ways, without a clear system, clutter quickly arises. This makes it difficult for employees to find the goods they need, slows down processes and increases the likelihood of errors. In addition, there’s a risk of damage to goods due to improper storage or overlapping storage areas.
Inefficient layout leads directly to additional costs in terms of wasted time, labour and errors during order picking. It also reduces the overall capacity of the space by not using all corners, vertical shelves or logically arranged areas.
To avoid this, it’s essential to establish a clear product storage structure: use labelled shelves, zone goods by demand or category, and implement a simple yet effective inventory system.
This is where flexible solutions become particularly valuable. For example, SPACE24 storage units allow you to choose the right size of space that can be adapted to your logistics needs. Such a system helps to use every square metre efficiently and avoid chaos, which is costly in the long run. Additionally, our website’s handy size calculator will help you choose the right storage unit size to ensure you have the right amount of space.
2. Excessive or Insufficient Stocks
Adequate stock levels are a crucial component of efficient goods storage. Excessive stock not only takes up valuable storage space but also reduces working capital by ‘freezing’ money in unused goods. Additionally, rising storage costs, wear and tear, or obsolescence can result in significant long-term losses.
On the other hand, insufficient stocks risk leaving customers unattended. Temporary out-of-stock items can result in lost orders, reduced customer confidence, and a decline in revenue. Finding the balance between surplus and shortage can be a challenge, especially in cases of seasonal or uneven demand for goods. To avoid this mistake, it’s recommended to constantly monitor sales data, analyse demand trends, and plan for seasonality.
Flexible product storage solutions are particularly beneficial for this purpose. SPACE24’s storage units enable you to adjust the size of your storage space according to actual demand, without any long-term commitments. This allows you to adapt quickly to changing business conditions and manage your stock efficiently.
3. Poor Logistics and Availability of Goods
Even with sufficient stocks and neatly arranged goods, logistics can become a weak link if the storage location is not strategically chosen. When goods are stored too far away from key customers or pick-up points, delivery times increase and costs rise. The speed of delivery is also affected if the storage facility lacks convenient access or order.
The consequences of this problem are obvious: slower service, delayed parcels, higher courier costs, and lower customer satisfaction. This is particularly acute in a competitive market, where speed of delivery can determine a customer’s decision to buy or to seek an alternative. To avoid this, it’s essential to select a storage unit location close to the city centre, near major transportation arteries, or within the customer’s target audience.
SPACE24’s storage units are located in the centre of Vilnius, so you can quickly arrange the issue of goods or their preparation for delivery. This helps businesses to save time, reduce logistics costs and offer their customers a faster service, without additional effort or long-term investment.
Efficient Storage – A Smart Business Choice
Therefore, item storage is not just a matter of location, but a strategic decision that directly impacts business efficiency, costs, and customer experience. Even small storage mistakes can lead to significant losses, but they can be avoided with flexible, reliable solutions.
SPACE24 storage unit rent allows you to avoid long-term commitments, optimise your space according to your exact needs, and quickly adapt to seasonality or business growth.
Looking for a convenient way to store your goods? Contact the SPACE24 team – together we’ll find the most efficient solution for your business!