How to Pick Faster in a Warehouse: 3 Tactics Wholesalers Often Overlook

In wholesale warehouse operations, even minor inefficiencies in the picking process can lead to late dispatches, backlogs, or worse, unhappy customers. With large volumes, mixed customer orders, and strict shipping schedules, the pressure is always on.

In this article, we explore how to pick faster in a warehouse by highlighting three underused picking strategies tailored to wholesale operations. Each one includes a bonus tip and a realistic scenario to help you apply it in your own environment. Whether you’re looking to increase picking efficiency, reduce picking errors, or boost customer satisfaction, these tips can make a measurable difference.

How to Pick Faster in a Warehouse

1. Embrace the ‘Touch Once’ Principle

One of the fastest ways to improve picking efficiency in a wholesale environment is to reduce the number of times an item is handled. Many operations rely on picking into totes and transferring into cartons at packing stations. That adds time and increases the risk of picking errors.

Instead, train pickers to follow a “touch once” picking strategy: place items directly into the shipping carton during the order picking process. This speeds up fulfilment, supports accurate order fulfilment, and reduces time spent rehandling goods.

Bonus Tip: Use colour-coded cartons for visual guidance on order type or shipping method. This supports both picking accuracy and throughput.

Wholesale Example:

A beverage wholesaler handling mixed SKU customer orders introduced touch-once picking for its top five repeat clients. With standard carton sizes known upfront, pickers placed items directly into final cartons, cutting average pick time by 15% and reducing order picking errors during repacking.

2. Use Simple Tools to Retrieve Items From Hard-to-Reach Zones

Wholesale operations often require storing bulk stock in high or mezzanine bin locations. When high-demand items are stored in these areas, pickers waste time fetching ladders or waiting for support.

Tools like extendable picking poles and drag hooks allow warehouse workers to retrieve items from difficult storage locations without added labour or safety risks. These tools are ideal for large warehouses where travel time between zones can add up quickly.

Bonus Tip: Keep small quantities of fast-moving items in easily accessible locations (the “golden zone”) to speed up the order fulfilment process.

Wholesale Example:

A hardware wholesaler with a diverse catalogue added extendable tools at each picking zone. Combined with keeping the top 20% of SKUs at ground level, this improved warehouse picking rates and enhanced overall warehouse efficiency during quarterly spikes in order volume.

3. Try Pick-to-Carton Workflows for Standard Orders

Wholesale distributors frequently receive multiple orders for similar product bundles, especially from B2B customers. In these cases, pick-to-carton workflows are among the most efficient picking methods. Instead of moving goods from tote to packing bench, pickers select a pre-sized carton and pack as they go.

This approach improves picking accuracy, shortens the order fulfilment cycle, and helps teams meet tight shipping schedules with fewer bottlenecks.

Bonus Tip: Add mobile label printers and scales to picking trolleys. This supports speed and accuracy by enabling weigh-ins and labelling in real time.

Wholesale Example:

A cleaning supplies wholesaler introduced pick-to-carton for recurring B2B accounts. Orders were packed directly into cartons and labelled en route, improving throughput by 20% and enabling better alignment with client inbound and outbound processes.

Did You Know? The Right Tools Make All the Difference

Remove the manual headaches with mobile scanning for accurate picking.

These strategies are amplified when backed by a modern warehouse management system (WMS). Datapel Cloud WMS delivers key capabilities that support operational efficiency and continuous improvement:

• Order Wave Planning: Group multiple orders with shared routes using wave picking.
• Zone Picking: Assign warehouse workers to logical zones for faster warehouse picking.
• Pick Path Optimisation: Calculate optimal pick paths to reduce time and boost warehouse performance.
• Mobile Scanning: Maintain accurate inventory data while reducing manual entry and picking errors.
• Pick-to-Carton & Batch Picking: Streamline handling for repeat or multi-item orders.
• Priority Handling: Auto-flag time-sensitive orders to ensure timely order picking.
• Real-Time Inventory Visibility: Prevent fulfilment delays caused by stockouts or misplaced SKUs.
• Automated Storage: Support long-term cost savings and higher warehouse efficiency.

Warehouse Picking in Action

“Even our best pickers improved. We didn’t expect that. Honestly, if you don’t have barcode scanning, you’re losing money. Plain and simple.”
— Andrew Arthy, EHI Australia

After switching to Datapel, EHI—a high-volume wholesaler—improved picking efficiency by 25%, halved training time, and eliminated $200 in daily admin costs. They also saw an improvement in key metrics like order accuracy and key performance indicators tied to delivery times.

How to Pick Faster in a Warehouse: Final Thoughts

For wholesalers, the pressure to fulfill customer orders quickly while maintaining picking accuracy and visibility is constant. But by applying smart picking strategies like the touch once principle, zone picking, and pick-to-carton workflows, you can dramatically improve the order picking process.

To scale these gains, assess how your warehouse management software supports automation, scanning, and data capture. Solutions that incorporate pick to light systems, voice picking systems, automated picking systems, and even autonomous mobile robots are rapidly becoming the norm for those focused on enhancing operational efficiency.

Smart technology, combined with the right picking strategy, can help you improve efficiency, reduce labour strain, and maximise warehouse space.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I improve picking speed in a wholesale warehouse?

Start by simplifying the picking process. Focus on proven methods like zone picking, batch picking, and pick-to-carton workflows. Using a modern warehouse management system helps you identify optimal picking methods, reduce unnecessary travel, and track key performance indicators that measure success.

What’s the best picking strategy for fulfilling multiple orders at once?

Wave picking is ideal when dealing with multiple orders from different customers that follow similar pick paths. You can group them and assign pickers to specific logical zones. Pair this with warehouse management software that calculates optimal pick paths to speed up the process and reduce errors.

How do I reduce picking errors and improve accuracy?

Use mobile scanning, voice picking systems, or pick to light technology to validate every item picked. These tools enhance picking accuracy, reduce manual entry, and ensure you’re meeting order accuracy targets. It’s also essential to maintain accurate inventory data to avoid stockouts or mispicks.

What role does warehouse layout play in picking speed?

An efficient warehouse layout places high-frequency SKUs in easily accessible locations—often known as the golden zone. It also separates fast- and slow-moving stock and minimises congestion in picking locations. Layout design directly impacts warehouse performance and helps you maximize warehouse space.

Can automation help wholesale warehouses pick faster?

Yes. Automated picking systems, automated storage, and autonomous mobile robots can significantly reduce manual labour and increase speed and accuracy. These technologies also support long-term continuous improvement and scalability, especially when integrated with your warehouse management software.

Datapel Insights

In my role, I oversee the development of insightful blogs that delve into the intricacies of warehouse management. Each piece reflects my dedication to empowering businesses through informative content. Through my team’s extensive experience in the industry, we aim to bring clarity to the complexities of WMS, helping businesses make informed decisions.

Join me on a journey through the ever-evolving landscape of warehouse technology as we explore the latest trends, industry insights, and practical tips to streamline your operations. Feel free to connect, and let’s embark on a collaborative exploration of how WMS can redefine your business efficiency.

Cheers to innovation, efficiency, and the exciting world of warehouse management!