In the fast-paced world of eCommerce, customer expectations are at an all-time high. They demand speed, accuracy, and flawless service, every time.

But one of the most common and costly threats to this ideal experience lies not in faulty systems or supply chain disruptions, but in something far more human:

Error.

From picking the wrong item to shipping it to the wrong address, simple mistakes can snowball into significant costs, both financial and reputational.

Fortunately, modern fulfilment WMS solutions like StoreFeeder offer powerful tools to significantly reduce these human errors and risks.

Here’s a closer look at the problem, and how StoreFeeder can be the solution.

The real-world risks of human error

Even the most dedicated warehouse teams are not immune to mistakes.

In a high-volume, high-pressure environment, human error is inevitable, and often expensive.

Common issues include:

• Picking errors - Selecting the wrong item, size, or colour not only disappoints the customer but triggers a costly returns process. It also leads to lost sales opportunities if replacement stock isn’t available.
• Shipping mistakes - Mislabelling parcels or dispatching them to the wrong address introduces further delays and can erode customer trust.
• Inventory discrepancies - Manual stock counts or incorrectly scanned goods can lead to overselling or understocking, disrupting operations and affecting sales performance.
• Time wastage - Even minor errors result in hours of rework — time that could have been spent on more valuable activities like process improvement or customer engagement.

These mistakes aren’t just inconvenient, they’re expensive.

They lead to increased return rates, extra shipping costs, negative reviews, customer churn, and even loss of marketplace privileges for high error rates.

StoreFeeder: Building accuracy into every step

StoreFeeder was built with precision and accuracy at its core.

By integrating intelligent workflows and barcode-driven processes, it drastically reduces opportunities for error.

Two standout features that address human error head-on are:

Barcode-validated picking through the StoreFeeder App

Using the StoreFeeder mobile app, pickers are guided through an optimised picking route and required to scan barcodes at every stage. This validation ensures:

• The correct product is picked every time.
• Errors or mis-picks are flagged immediately.
• Pickers are more confident and efficient in their tasks.

The result? Near-elimination of mis-picks, faster training for new staff, and a scalable process that grows with your business.

Barcode-driven despatch for error-free shipping

At the packing station, StoreFeeder’s barcode-driven despatch process requires the correct scanning of every item before the shipping label prints and the parcel is sealed. This ensures:

• The order is complete and correct.
• It’s going to the right customer.
• The despatch is logged and traceable.

This tight control layer dramatically reduces shipping mistakes and enables you to confidently hit marketplace performance metrics and SLAs.

The ROI of getting it right

While eliminating human error may seem like a small win, the compounding impact across thousands of orders is massive:

• Lower return and refund rates
• Reduced customer service workload
• Increased positive feedback and reviews
• Higher staff productivity
• Better use of inventory
• Stronger compliance with marketplace and courier requirements

In short, error reduction isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a strategic lever for profitability.

Final thoughts

Human error will always be a factor in any manual process. But with the right systems in place, you can drastically reduce its impact.

StoreFeeder’s barcode-validated picking and despatch workflows are designed not just to support your warehouse staff, but to empower them with the tools to succeed, accurately, efficiently, and at scale.

If you're ready to cut the hidden costs of fulfilment mistakes and deliver excellence with every order, it's time to consider StoreFeeder.

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