DASHING IN THE DARK (STORE)

Cramped dark stores are tech-enabled, micro-warehouses where the countdown begins once an order is received, and is processed within minutes

- By NAINI THAKER

STEP 1: Customer places an order at their home.

STEP 2: Order Placement and System Integration

When a customer places an order through the app, it immediately reflects in the store’s Warehouse Management System (WMS). This system is designed to manage everything from inventory to picking and packing. The order appears on the packer’s handheld device, showing the order ID, items, and their respective bin locations. This ensures visibility and traceability from the very beginning.

STEP 3: Order Assignment and Visibility

The system assigns the order to a packer, who must be online and ready to accept tasks. The device displays all relevant details, including the EAN (European Article Number) for each item, which must be scanned to confirm accuracy. The system also tracks productivity using a metric called IPP (Items Per Pick), which calculates how many items a packer picks per unit of time.

STEP 4: Picking up bags and scanning their labels

Each bag is scanned and tagged to the specific order ID, creating a digital link between the physical package and the order.

STEP 5: Picking Items from Designated Zones