Managing inventory doesn’t stop at receiving stock. It’s what happens next that sets the tone for accuracy and efficiency. That next step is called Put Away, which involves moving products from your receiving area to their designated storage locations.
Done right, put away helps you keep inventory accurate, item picking fast, and your warehouse organized. Done wrong, it leads to errors, wasted time, and costly write-offs. In fact, nearly half of warehouse managers (45%) identify put away and replenishment as some of the most inefficient processes in their operations and urge the critical need for improvement.
In this guide, learn what put away is, discover the two main put away methods, explore best practices for accuracy and efficiency, and understand why doing put away well is essential to warehouse success.
What Is Put Away?
Put away is the process of moving items from the receiving dock to their permanent bins, shelves, or racks. It may sound simple, but it’s one of the most critical steps in inventory management because it directly affects:
- Accuracy: Knowing exactly where products are stored.
- Efficiency: Faster order picking and packing.
- Space Utilization: Keeping your warehouse neat and organized.
Two Main Put Away Methods
Out of the different ways to put away inventory in a warehouse, here are the two common methods:
Indirect Put Away
This method breaks down inbound pallets into separate SKUs before storage.
– Example: A pallet of mixed sodas is separated into Coke and Diet Coke, each moved to its own bin.
Advantages
- More accurate inventory tracking
- Faster picking later due to organized SKUs
- Fewer picking errors and misplacements
- Better space utilization
- Improved traceability and control over stock
Drawbacks
- More time-consuming at the receiving and put away stages
- Higher labor cost due to SKU separation
- Requires more coordination and labeling effort
- May slow down inbound processing during peak times
Direct Put Away
This method moves the entire pallet directly into storage without breaking it down.
– Example: A full pallet containing a mixed shipment of assorted snacks and drinks is placed directly into a single storage location.
Advantages
- Faster processing and reduced handling at receiving
- Lower immediate labor costs
- Ideal for cross-docking, pre-sold goods, or fast-moving full-pallet items
- Minimizes product damage by reducing touch points
Drawbacks
- Creates risk for inventory inaccuracy, especially with mixed-SKU pallets
- Makes individual SKUs harder to locate & count
- Leads to inefficient space use if pallets contain slow-moving items
- Defers the work of sorting to the order picking stage, potentially slowing it down
Best Practices for Put Away
Now that we know what put away is and its two types, let’s look at a few best practices to improve accuracy and efficiency:
- Label every bin location clearly (Aisle–Bay–Shelf–Bin). (Not sure how? Check our guide: How to Label Warehouse Bin Locations.)
- Put stock away the same day it’s received to avoid clutter and errors.
- Tag pallets clearly after breaking them down.
- Spot-check counts before stocking into pick bins.
- Use FIFO (First-In, First-Out) or FEFO (First-Expiry, First-Out) for perishable or dated items.
- Replenish pick bins regularly from overstock.
- Organize by velocity, i.e., keep fast movers closest to shipping lanes.
Read more: 10 Best Strategies for Better Product Shelf Life Management
Why Proper Put Away Matters
When put away is done consistently and correctly, you will see:
- Accurate Real-Time Stock Levels: Consistent and correct put away ensures inventory data is always up to date. This enables better stock visibility and decision-making.
- Faster Picking and Shipping: Organized storage locations reduce search time for pickers. This accelerates order fulfillment and improves customer satisfaction.
- Less Wasted Warehouse Space: Proper put away maximizes storage efficiency by systematically arranging products according to size, weight, and demand.
- Reduced Write-Offs From Misplaced or Damaged Goods: Correct placement and handling during put away minimizes product damage and losses. This helps protect warehouse assets.
Overall, put away sets the foundation for everything else in warehouse management. It drives accuracy, efficiency, and profitability.
The Next Step: Smarter Put Away with a WMS
Even with labels and good habits, manual processes leave room for mistakes. That’s why most growing businesses adopt a warehouse management system (WMS) to guide the put away process, validate moves, and keep everything accurate in real time.
That’s exactly what C2W Inventory is designed to do—help your team put away products the right way, every time.
C2W Inventory is a feature-packed inventory management software that automates and optimizes your put away operations through real-time inventory visibility, barcode scanning, and intelligent storage allocation. Its advanced mobile SmartScan system and multi-warehouse support ensure your team stays efficient and error-free, while automated alerts help keep your stock levels balanced and replenished.
This makes C2W Inventory an essential tool for modern warehouses aiming for scalable and streamlined operations. Visit the website to start for free and take control of your inventory with confidence.
Conclusion
Put away may seem like a small part of warehouse management, but it has a big impact on accuracy, efficiency, and profitability. Follow best practices and use the right tools to build a warehouse that’s ready to scale. As a result, you will be able to reduce errors, save time, and optimize space utilization. Start working on an efficient put away mechanism and lift up your entire warehouse operation to new levels of productivity and success.