For many warehouse managers and eCommerce businesses, improving the pick speed in their warehouses is a key goal. But speeding up a single process is not enough; you also need to improve your warehouse's overall efficiency, reduce errors, and increase customer satisfaction.

In the current market, minor improvements in picking rate can greatly impact your business's overall operational costs and speed up your delivery times.

However, most businesses are unsure of where to start when auditing and optimising their processes. They are often pulled in many directions, having to juggle numerous targets and SLAs in order to show they are efficient, meaning that they don’t have time to work out where to start.

That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you understand eight practical strategies that you can directly action in your warehouse in order to improve your picking speed.

We’ll discuss key metrics and offer best practices for implementing lasting improvements.

Whether you’re a warehouse manager, a picker, or a business owner, the goal is to provide you with the right insights and tools to improve the performance of your business. We’ll also discuss the benefits of advanced solutions like StoreFeeder’s Warehouse Management System (WMS) and how you can use it to streamline your operations and set the stage for scalable growth. 

What Is Picking Rate & Why Does It Matter?

On a basic level, the picking rate of your warehouse measures how many items are picked, packed, and processed within a specific timeframe; most benchmark it on an hourly basis. This metric is crucial as it helps you to understand the overall productivity of your warehouse and can be beneficial in assisting managers to understand areas for improvement.

It can be used to get an understanding of the performance of either individual pickers or the efficiency of the entire warehouse and the picking process as a whole.

Why It’s Important To Have a High Pick Rate In Your Warehouse

• ‍Operational Efficiency: Having a higher picking rate reduces overall lead times and helps to accelerate order fulfilment, meaning that your products reach your customers faster.‍
• Cost Management: Having an efficient picking process helps to minimise overall labour costs and optimises your overall resources. This can ultimately help your business to lower its operational expenses and save money.‍
• Customer Satisfaction: As said before, a high pick rate means that customers receive their orders faster, and this leads to higher levels of customer satisfaction.‍
• Scalability & Planning: By having an understanding of your warehouse's pick rates, managers are able to forecast their seasonal fluctuations to get a better understanding of whether additional staff are required. This is the same for when they are planning for future growth, meaning that they can factor in scale without compromising the performance of the warehouse.

How to Calculate Picking Rate in Your Warehouse

Now that you know why optimising your warehouse's pick rate is important, it’s time to discuss how you can understand your current business performance.

The Formula

The standard way that most warehouses benchmark their picking rate is by using a simple formula:

Picking Rate = Total Items Picked / Total Time Spent Picking

For instance, if a picker processes 500 items in 5 hours, the picking rate is:

• ‍500 items / 5 hours = 100 picks per hour

Whilst this can be enough to get a top-level understanding of your pick rate, we would also recommend only calculating your pick rate by using Active Picking Time (only include the time spent actively picking items). By excluding periods such as breaks, training sessions, or administrative tasks, you get a true indication of performance. We also recommend that you keep your units consistent (e.g., items per hour) across all teams to enable accurate comparisons and assessments.

8 Strategies to Improve Your Warehouse Picking Rate

1. Optimise Warehouse Layout

The start of any efficient picking route lies in the layout of the warehouse. It’s the foundation, so if not executed well, everything built on top will suffer. When planning your warehouse floor plan, it’s essential to consider:

• Logical Flow: Design your layout to follow the natural flow of your pickers. Locate any high-demand items near your primary packing and shipping stations to reduce the travel time of your team.
• Zoning: Consider segmenting your warehouse into clear zones based on factors such as product categories, demand levels, or item sizes. This can help you to assign dedicated pickers to specific areas, minimising unnecessary travel.
• Clear Labelling: If your labelling is unclear, you will waste time and encourage errors. So it’s important to implement consistent and clear labelling systems in your warehouse. You can also consider adding additional signage and visual markers to help pickers locate items quickly and accurately.

If you want to explore this topic in more detail, we’ve produced an in-depth guide on how to Create an Optimised Warehouse Floor Plan to learn more about maximising your storage space.

2. Adopt Efficient Picking Methods

Choosing the right picking method can make a substantial difference in efficiency. Some popular methods include:

• Batch Picking
• Zone Picking
• Wave Picking
• Hybrid Picking

If you want to explore and understand all of the picking methods that you can implement in your warehouse, how they differ, their benefits and use cases, then explore our guide on Warehouse Order Picking Strategies.

3. Leverage Technology

Unlike the traditional warehouse, which relied on manual processes and outdated workbooks to monitor performance, the modern warehouse has access to technology that can be a real game-changer in your warehouse operations. Below, we’ve listed a few examples and how they can improve the picking speed of your warehouse, empowering you with the potential of modern tools:

• Warehouse Management Systems (WMS): Deploy a robust WMS like StoreFeeder to optimise picking routes, monitor real-time performance, and maintain inventory accuracy.
• Automated Tools: Integrate tools such as pick-to-light systems, voice-picking devices, and RF scanners to improve both speed and accuracy.
• Robotic Assistance: Consider robotic systems for repetitive tasks like item retrieval or transport to reduce the physical burden on staff and increase overall efficiency.

4. Slotting Optimisation

Effective slotting in your warehouse comes from placing the right items in the right locations. This can be as simple as storing high-demand items closer to your packing stations or “hot zones.” Items that are picked less frequently can be stored further away from these areas.

You should also look to continually assess product velocity and adjust your storage locations as time goes on. This will help to ensure that your warehouse remains optimised at all times.

5. Train and Equip Pickers

Your pickers are the backbone of your warehouse, and your pick speeds are directly impacted by their capabilities. The most optimised warehouses empower their staff by providing them with ongoing training past their initial onboarding. They conduct regular training sessions, ensuring they are aware of advanced picking techniques and know how to successfully utilise any software or technology that may help them maintain high-performance levels.

They also ensure that their pickers have access to the right equipment, such as carts, barcode scanners, and other wearable devices. These tools can not only speed up picking but also ensure that pickers are comfortable carrying out their day-to-day roles and there are no physical strains that may reduce their speed.

There is also the option to incentivise your pickers with rewards via an incentive program or competitions to help keep them motivated and drive increased speed. If the potential to receive a small prize or bonus can help improve your overall pick speed, then consider factoring in the ROI of this to your business, as it can be a quick and easy win in order to improve efficiency.

6. Switch from Paper to Digital-Based Warehouse Picking

Outdated, paper-based systems can slow down operations. Most modern warehouses are transitioning to paperless warehousing solutions, as outside of the environmental impact, they can also have a number of benefits to your business.

The first is that digital warehouses tend to be more accurate. Digital tools like barcode scanners or integrated mobile devices help to reduce the risk of human error, meaning pickers are more confident when making their picks.

This can then improve the overall speed at which they work. With data capture and real-time processing, they are able to speed up order fulfilment.

Digital solutions also have the added benefit of seamlessly integrating with your other systems, such as a WMS, ensuring that inventory levels are always updated and accurate.

7. Track Performance KPIs

If you aren’t sure how your warehouse and pickers are performing, then how are you able to understand where there are bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement? The best warehouses focus on metrics such as:

• Pick Rate per Hour
• Travel Time
• Error Rates
• Overall Throughput

By regularly reviewing these KPIs, you can make informed decisions and adjust your processes to maintain a competitive edge. If you want to explore other metrics you should be monitoring, then check out our post.

8. Conduct Regular Inventory Checks

Regular inventory checks are critical for maintaining picking efficiency by ensuring inventory accuracy and preventing delays caused by misplaced or missing items.

Conclusion

Boosting your warehouse’s picking speed is not just about accelerating one process, it’s about transforming your entire operation for enhanced efficiency and scalability.

By optimising your layout, adopting efficient picking methods, and leveraging modern technology, you can significantly reduce lead times and lower operational costs.

You also need to consider training your team, switching from paper-based to digital systems, and regularly monitoring key performance indicators to ensure that your warehouse operates smoothly and accurately.

These actionable strategies not only improve your pick rate but also drive cost savings and elevate customer satisfaction, setting the stage for sustainable growth in a competitive market.

If you’re ready to transform your warehouse efficiency, then explore StoreFeeder’s solutions today to see how our advanced WMS can help you optimise your operations, boost picking speed, and support your business growth.