{"id":11390,"date":"2024-01-03T19:03:54","date_gmt":"2024-01-03T19:03:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/uk\/blog\/piece-picking\/"},"modified":"2025-09-19T20:03:43","modified_gmt":"2025-09-19T20:03:43","slug":"piece-picking","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/uk\/blog\/piece-picking\/","title":{"rendered":"Piece Picking Guide for Ecommerce Businesses"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Table of Contents<\/p>

** Minutes<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n

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

How does piece picking compare with other picking methods<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ShipBob’s innovative approach to piece picking<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The future of piece picking: trends and predictions<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get started with ShipBob<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Imagine this: your ecommerce business is growing \u2014 customers are raving about your products, you plan on adding more products to your catalogue , and orders are coming in from all parts of the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But there\u2019s still one aspect of your business\u2019s supply chain that isn\u2019t quite up to par: the picking process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The picking process is what happens in the warehouse after an order has been placed. It\u2019s when someone (or something) picks the order to be prepared for packing and shipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, not all picking processes are created equal. Some picking strategies are better suited for smaller orders, while others excel in handling larger, more complex ones. Using the wrong picking process can cause various issues. For example, it may result in a lower order accuracy<\/a> which leads to customers receiving items they didn\u2019t purchase. This, in turn, results in unhappy customers and lost profits for the business. Or maybe using the wrong picking process slows down your fulfilment operations, stalling throughput which results in longer order cycle time<\/a> and extended wait times for customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, which picking systems should ecommerce owners be using in their fulfilment operations? In this post, we\u2019ll be discussing just that and how an optimised piece-picking solution may be the answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Piece picking, also known as individual item picking, is a picking strategy in which associates select single items from within a warehouse to assemble and complete customer orders. Unlike other picking methods that might involve handling whole boxes or pallets of goods, piece picking focuses on single items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The standard process for piece picking looks something like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Order receipt:<\/strong> Receiving orders via a warehouse management system (WMS<\/a>) that lists needed items.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Item identification:<\/strong> Workers use lists or digital devices, aided by barcodes<\/a> or RFID tags, to find item locations in the warehouse.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Picking the items:<\/strong> Order pickers navigate to these locations, verify items and quantities, and then collect them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Quality check:<\/strong> A check is performed post-picking to ensure accuracy and reduce errors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Transport to packing area:<\/strong> Items are moved to the packing area for sorting and packing into shipping boxes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Updating inventory:<\/strong> Inventory levels are updated in the WMS as items are picked.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Preparation for shipment:<\/strong> Packed orders are labelled and sorted for dispatch based on the delivery method.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    How does piece picking compare with other picking methods<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Piece picking is one of several warehouse picking<\/a> methods used in modern fulfilment centres. Each is suited to different types of orders and inventory profiles.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Understanding how piece picking compares with methods like case picking, batch picking, and zone picking is essential for optimising warehouse efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Case picking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Case picking involves selecting and moving entire cases or boxes of items, typically used when large quantities of the same product are required for an order. It’s often seen in wholesale or retail<\/a> distribution environments where bulk handling is common.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Here’s how case picking and piece picking are different:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Factors<\/strong><\/td>Case picking<\/strong><\/strong><\/td>Piece picking<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
    Order size<\/strong><\/td>Large quantities of the same item<\/td>Individual items for each order<\/td><\/tr>
    Efficiency<\/strong><\/td>High for bulk orders; less movement per item<\/td>Lower for individual items; more movement required<\/td><\/tr>
    Flexibility<\/strong><\/td>Less flexible; best for uniform orders<\/td>Highly flexible; suits varied, small orders<\/td><\/tr>
    Technology use<\/strong><\/td>Often less technology-intensive<\/td>Benefits more from advanced technology like barcodes and RFID<\/td><\/tr>
    Labor intensity<\/strong><\/td>Potentially less labour-intensive per item<\/td>More labour-intensive due to individual item handling<\/td><\/tr>
    Accuracy<\/strong><\/td>Error margin can be lower for bulk orders<\/td>Higher risk of errors; requires precise picking<\/td><\/tr>
    Ideal for<\/strong><\/td>Ideal for wholesale, retail bulk orders<\/td>Suited for diverse ecommerce operations<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Batch picking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Batch picking<\/a> involves collecting items for multiple orders simultaneously. This pick and pack fulfilment<\/a> method aims to reduce the time spent travelling within the warehouse by grouping orders with similar items together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Here are some of the ways batch picking is different than piece picking:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Factors<\/strong><\/td>Batch picking<\/strong><\/strong><\/td>Piece picking<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
    Order processing<\/strong><\/td>Multiple orders handled in one go<\/td>Each order is processed individually<\/td><\/tr>
    Efficiency<\/strong><\/td>Higher for multiple similar orders; reduces travel time<\/td>Lower as each order is picked separately<\/td><\/tr>
    Error potential<\/strong><\/td>Can be higher due to order complexity<\/td>Lower as focus is on one order at a time<\/td><\/tr>
    Sorting post-picking<\/strong><\/td>Requires additional sorting step<\/td>Direct packing after picking, less sorting<\/td><\/tr>
    Speed<\/strong><\/td>Faster for bulk orders with common items<\/td>Slower, but more tailored to individual needs<\/td><\/tr>
    Technology integration<\/strong><\/td>Benefits greatly from tech for order grouping<\/td>Requires technology but maybe not as complex<\/td><\/tr>
    Ideal for<\/strong><\/td>Warehouses with repetitive order profiles<\/td>Diverse order profiles with varied items<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Zone picking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Zone picking<\/a> divides the warehouse into different areas or zones, with pickers assigned to specific zones. Items from different zones are then consolidated into complete orders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Here are the main differences in zone picking and piece picking: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Factors<\/strong><\/td>Zone picking<\/strong><\/strong><\/td>Piece picking<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
    Warehouse layout<\/strong><\/td>Warehouse divided into specific zones<\/td>No specific zoning; pickers move throughout<\/td><\/tr>
    Efficiency<\/strong><\/td>High in large warehouses; minimises travel<\/td>Lower as pickers may travel across all zones<\/td><\/tr>
    Specialization<\/strong><\/td>Pickers specialize in certain zones or products<\/td>Pickers handle a broad range of products<\/td><\/tr>
    Order consolidation<\/strong><\/td>Required from different zones<\/td>No consolidation needed; one picker per order<\/td><\/tr>
    Scalability<\/strong><\/td>Good for scaling in large operations<\/td>Scalable, but can be labour-intensive<\/td><\/tr>
    Flexibility<\/strong><\/td>Less flexible, based on zone layout<\/td>More flexible, suitable for varied orders<\/td><\/tr>
    Ideal for<\/strong><\/td>Large warehouses with high order volumes<\/td>Any size of operation, especially with varied items<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    The role of piece picking in ecommerce fulfilment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    When it comes to ecommerce stores, there\u2019s a lot of variability. We\u2019re talking multiple SKUs<\/a>, custom packaging<\/a>, custom inserts, personalised products, the list goes on. That\u2019s exactly why piece picking is so important in this industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Piece picking is all about precision and personalisation. It involves selecting each specific item from the picking list<\/a>, ensuring that what the customer chose online is exactly what lands at their doorstep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Speed and scalability are just as important. Customers are used to rapid service, and piece picking allows for quick turnaround of orders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Additionally, it does not limit your growth due to logistical constraints. Piece picking adapts to increasing order volumes and product variety, ensuring that your fulfilment process can scale up alongside your business growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    That being said, all of these things are only true if you have the right piece picking processes in place. At ShipBob, we’ve taken great care into creating the proper warehouse receiving<\/a> processes, warehouse setup<\/a>, technological integrations, warehouse automation<\/a>, and building a skilled team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    ShipBob’s innovative approach to piece picking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    At ShipBob, we’re transforming piece picking for ecommerce businesses with our advanced fulfilment solutions. Our approach combines cutting-edge technology with efficient processes to ensure that your fulfilment needs are met. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Here are the key benefits of partnering with ShipBob for efficient piece picking:<\/p>\n\n\n\n