Product shelves and racks are essential items for stores. However, a lack of understanding about their differences can result in misuse. Through this article, business owners looking for shelves or racks can learn their differences and how to select the most suitable option for their specific needs.
Functions and Advantages of Product Shelves and Racks
Shelves
A shelf serves as a storage unit, typically crafted from wood, steel, or plastic. It finds common use in retail stores or mini-marts to store products for sale or showcase a variety of products like consumer goods, fashion items, or electronics. Today, various types of shelving storage are available to accommodate diverse needs, these include:
Free-standing shelves: a simple solution suitable for storing general goods.
Floating shelves: attached to a wall, suitable for placing lighter products.
Storage shelves with wheels: a wheeled storage shelf is convenient to move around stores or small warehouses.
Advantages of Shelving
It helps organise products neatly for easy identification and maintains a clean store appearance.
It is space-saving, as products can be placed on different levels.
With a wide range of shelf sizes and styles available, shelving can add to the look of a store.
Shelves allow for safer storage, especially those with rails to prevent products from falling off.
Racks
A rack is used for storing products in warehouses or managing stock. With its sturdy steel structure, it provides robust stability that can support significant weight. Typically, racks are used in a warehouse to store a large quantity of products. Nowadays, there’s a diverse range of warehouse racking available, each designed for a specific purpose, such as:
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Selective racking system: for storing products on pallets. Each level is accessible, making it suitable to for multiple products.
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Drive-in racking: comes with one accessible aisle at the back for forklifts to enter and exit. It is suitable for storing large and heavy items.
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Push-back racking: provides large and deep spaces to store a large amount of products. It is suitable for lightweight products of the same type.
Advantages of Racking
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Racking can support a lot of weight, making it suitable for heavy products such as consumer goods, agricultural or industrial products, etc.
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With multiple levels, racking provides more space to store products.
It increases operational safety as most racking prevents products from falling off the pallets.
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It improves operational efficiency in the stock room or warehouse by facilitating easier access to products and helping to prevent dead stock.
Differences Between Shelving and Racking
Usage
Shelving and racking are both designed for product storage, yet they vary in their suitability for different areas. Shelving, usually crafted from wood, steel, or plastic, is lightweight and easily movable. It is ideal for small shops or grocery stores. On the other hand, racking, primarily constructed from steel, is heavier with a stable foundation, making it suitable for use in factories or warehouses.
Suitable products
A shelf is better suited for lightweight products, serving well for product display or sales. In contrast, a rack is more suitable for heavy items like warehouse stock.
Structure
Product shelf storage has a versatile structure to display products nicely and make them stand out. Shelves can also be decorated for an attractive look that complements the store’s style. In contrast, warehouse racking prioritises a robust and enduring design. It typically serves specific needs, suitable for placing products in a stock room.
How to Select Shelving and Racking
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The usage of shelves and racks varies. Choose the one that aligns with your specific needs, whether it is for general retail stores or warehouses.
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Choose those made from proper materials that can support the weight of your products adequately.
Consider your budget to select affordable shelves or racks.
Are you in search of durable and secure store shelving or racking, available in a range of sizes and styles to support different product weights? Look no further! Tellus specialises in manufacturing and designing automated warehouse management systems. Our selection includes high-quality shelving storage at competitive prices, tailored to meet your specific requirements. Additionally, our expert team provides after-sale services, so you can rest assured that you’re in good hands. For more information about our products, please contact us at 02-643-8044.
