{"id":10799,"date":"2023-12-29T15:18:26","date_gmt":"2023-12-29T15:18:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/wave-picking-guide\/"},"modified":"2025-08-01T16:22:32","modified_gmt":"2025-08-01T16:22:32","slug":"wave-picking","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/warehouse-management\/wave-picking\/","title":{"rendered":"Wave Picking"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Wave Picking Guide<\/h1>\n

The picking process is one of the most vital aspects of your warehouse operations \u2013 but it\u2019s also one of the most complicated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Picking involves warehouse staff having to navigate through a gigantic maze of shelving systems to find the items they need to pick, so it\u2019s no wonder that many ecommerce businesses struggle with picking efficiency and order accuracy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To keep your fulfilment operations running efficiently, it\u2019s crucial to implement the right warehouse picking<\/a> strategy. Wave picking is one such strategy, as it can help streamline and optimise the picking process.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this guide, we break down the benefits of wave picking and how you can implement it for your own warehouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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So, what do you want to learn?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

What is wave picking?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

6 benefits of wave picking in the warehouse<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wave picking tips and strategies for the experts<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ShipBob\u2019s lightning-quick warehouse management<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wave picking FAQs<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>

Request Fulfilment Pricing<\/h3>

Let’s talk. Our experts can help you boost your order volume by 30% year over year.<\/h3>

Lorem Ipsum.<\/p>

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A fulfilment expert will get back to you shortly. Privacy Policy<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

What is wave picking?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Wave picking (also called cluster picking) is a picking strategy that involves picking multiple orders in a single trip through the warehouse storage shelves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How does wave picking work in the warehouse?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In wave picking, an order isn\u2019t picked as soon as it comes in. Rather, it\u2019s usually put on hold for a period of time so that a warehouse management<\/a> system (WMS) can sort it into a group. The system groups multiple orders together based on one or more factors that all those orders have in common (such as storage zone, shipping date<\/a>, items, or courier).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These groups get released for picking at certain time intervals, referred to as \u201cwaves\u201d. For instance, picking waves may be released every half hour, or every three hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each group is assigned to a picker, who will pick all those orders in one \u201cwave\u201d, or trip through the warehouse. Waves typically occur at periodic intervals of time, such as every half-hour. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each group is assigned to a picker, who uses a cart or tote to pick<\/a> all the items assigned to them in a single trip, instead of having to walk back and forth multiple times to pick individual items. This significantly improves picking efficiency, and can help your team meet a specific productivity goal (such as getting all orders with a particular shipping deadline fulfilled in time, or each picker fulfilling a certain number of orders per shift).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wave picking is the strategy of choice for both small and large ecommerce operations. It\u2019s particularly ideal for warehouses that handle large numbers of SKUs<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wave picking vs. batch picking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Wave picking and batch picking are often mixed up, since they both involve picking multiple orders simultaneously. However, the two are slightly different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Batch picking<\/a> involves picking multiple similar orders in one trip. Those orders can be identical (i.e., they contain the exact same combination of products), or they can simply be similar (containing some of the same products). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wave picking is a form of batch picking, just with a timeframe. Wave picking groups orders with similar features together, but releases groups of orders for picking at certain times in order to keep on a schedule. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Batch picking is highly desirable for warehouses that have to process a high volume of orders with small items that can be picked together. It wouldn\u2019t be as convenient to pick multiple units of large SKUs at the same time, for example. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wave picking, on the other hand, is more suitable for warehouses that have to process a high volume of orders with similar items that can be picked together.Each picking strategy offers unique benefits depending on a brand\u2019s needs. Instead of sticking to just one order picking<\/a> method, businesses can also combine batch, wave, and zone picking to optimise their inventory retrieval process. Ideally, these picking strategies should be executed with the help of a warehouse management system to optimise picking lists<\/a> and wave schedules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6 benefits of wave picking in the warehouse<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Based on the description above, you might already have some idea of how wave picking can benefit your business. Here\u2019s a more detailed breakdown of the benefits of wave picking in the warehouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.  Greater warehouse efficiency and space utilisation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Wave picking minimises the time that pickers are physically walking to and from different storage locations. That extra time can be used to pick and pack more orders or perform dozens of other tasks around the warehouse, increasing the warehouse\u2019s overall operational efficiency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, wave picking can also improve warehouse space utilisation. By orchestrating waves so that multiple pickers aren\u2019t assigned to the same aisle, zone, or picking location at the same time, you reduce congestion, minimise bottlenecks, and even improve your warehouse\u2019s safety<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Fast, accurate order fulfilment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Wave picking is designed to enable pickers to pick as many items as possible in a given time period. Whether they are picking multiple units of the same SKUs or picking a bunch of different SKUs in the same area, pickers typically don\u2019t have to zigzag around the entire warehouse just for one order. This reduces travel time and speeds up the order fulfilment<\/a> process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because a picker isn\u2019t moving around as much, they can also pay more attention to what they\u2019re picking and how many units they need. This significantly improves order accuracy rates as it minimises the risk of mispicks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cFor us, one of the greatest benefits in using ShipBob\u2019s WMS has been reducing mispicks. Before ShipBob, when we were just relying on label generation software, we didn\u2019t have a way to validate which products were going out to customers. The label would say \u201cpick 3 of these specific sunglasses\u201d but really, you could have sent any type of sunglasses since there was no validation \u2013 and that happened frequently. One of the biggest reasons we went with ShipBob is the multiple checks from start to finish. The WMS makes it really hard to send out the wrong product. It still happens on rare occasions \u2013 but it happens a lot less than before. Before we implemented ShipBob\u2019s WMS, our order accuracy rate was around 92%. Now we’re at 99.7% for order accuracy, which equates to 2,100 less mispicks a year on average.\u201d<\/p>\nJourdan Davis, Operations Manager at Pit Viper<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

3. Fewer operational errors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Since wave picking is carried out at specific times throughout the day, warehouse managers can schedule each wave so that none of them interfere with other warehousing processes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a specified picking window for picking, managers can better coordinate warehousing operations. For example, managers can schedule shipping windows based on the estimated timeframe in which picking and packing will be completed. This type of planning allows for fewer mix-ups and operational errors in the warehouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Reduced overhead (cost-benefit analysis)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Picking is a huge cost centre for warehouses, so it\u2019s important to optimise your picking strategy to keep spending in check. With wave picking helping you fulfil more orders in a short amount of time, your brand can significantly reduce your operating costs. Even if you\u2019re spending slightly more on labour, you\u2019re getting more out of your workers\u2019 time if you\u2019re exponentially increasing picking rates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To get a better understanding of the cost savings offered by wave picking, let\u2019s do a simple cost-benefit analysis. Say your usual picking method lets you pick 500 orders in a day, each of which is worth an average of $25, and you\u2019re spending $2,000 per day on labour costs. In this scenario, your cost-benefit ratio would be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regular Picking <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost = $2,000<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefit = $25 x 500 = $12,500<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost Benefit Ratio = (12,500\/2,000) = 6.25<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now imagine that you start wave picking. Because it\u2019s a more efficient picking system, double the number of orders picked in a day. Even with a $1,000 increase in labour costs, your cost-benefit ratio is still higher than it was before: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wave Picking<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost = $3,000<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefit = $25 x 1,000 = $25,000<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost Benefit Ratio = (25,000\/3,000) = 8.33<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Profitable customer satisfaction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers always want correct orders delivered quickly, so anything your brand can do behind the scenes to contribute to that outcome contributes to customer satisfaction \u2013 including picking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wave picking allows you to fulfil orders on time by scheduling waves so that the picking and packing processes are completed before shipping cut-off times. This allows for on-time shipping, which allows customers to receive their orders in a timely manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The greater levels of accuracy seen in wave picking also mean your customers are more likely to get exactly what they ordered. This not only improves satisfaction but also prevents the likelihood of returns, saving you money and adding to your profitability. Moreover, satisfied customers are more likely to come back and keep buying from you, contributing to your future profitability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Next-level inventory management<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In addition to improving fulfilment, wave picking can also improve your inventory management<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wave picking allows for orders to be fulfilled more accurately, which means that there\u2019s a lower risk of inventory errors<\/a>. For example, items that were accidentally picked in error are quickly detected during consolidation and then returned to their respective storage locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, wave picking enables just-in-time picking, which is ideal for high-value and perishable items. This means there\u2019s less idle time that could lead to high-value items being stolen or broken, and less time for perishables to spoil or lose freshness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wave picking tips and strategies for the experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although wave picking offers a number of benefits, you need to be strategic with execution to enjoy these benefits. Here are some tips and strategies to ensure that you get the most out of wave picking for your warehouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choose the right wave picking method for your business<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most crucial steps is deciding on a wave picking method that works for your business. You\u2019ll need to determine how to group orders in waves depending on factors such as your product type, warehouse size, and order volume. Some ways you can group orders in a wave include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n