What is Picking: Definition and Importance in Modern Logistics
Picking (or "order picking" in English) is the process of collecting products from storage locations to fulfill customer orders. It is one of the most critical and costly operations in a warehouse, accounting for 50% to 65% of the total operating costs of a logistics center. Simply put, picking is when an operator or an automated system selects the necessary items from an order, collects them from the shelves, and prepares them for packing and shipping.
The efficiency of this process directly determines delivery speed, order accuracy, and customer satisfaction. A well-organized picking system can process thousands of orders per day with an error rate below 0.1%, while an inefficient system generates delays, returns, and additional costs that erode business profitability.
The History of Picking: From Manual Warehouses to Automation
The history of picking is closely linked to the evolution of commerce and logistics. In the 19th century, the first organized warehouses appeared in the United States and Great Britain, with the development of railways and long-distance trade. Catalog sales companies, such as Sears, Roebuck and Co. (founded in 1893 in Chicago), pioneered the organized picking process. Their Chicago warehouse, opened in 1906, was the largest in the world and processed thousands of catalog orders daily – employees walked rows of shelves with paper order lists.
In the 1960s-1970s, the industrial revolution brought the first mechanized picking systems to Germany and Japan. German companies like Siemens and Jungheinrich developed the first conveyors and automated sorting systems for warehouses. The Japanese contributed with the "kaizen" philosophy (continuous improvement), constantly optimizing picking routes and reducing unnecessary operator movements.
The 1980s-1990s brought another revolution: barcodes and portable scanners. Initially introduced by the American company Intermec, these technologies allowed for the first time real-time inventory tracking and electronic confirmation of picking. Human error decreased dramatically, and productivity increased by over 30%.
However, the biggest transformation came with the e-commerce boom in the early 2000s, which completely redefined the concept of picking and forced the logistics industry to reinvent itself.
The E-Commerce Revolution: How Amazon, eBay, and Others Changed the Rules of the Game
The birth of modern e-commerce can be placed in 1995, the year both Amazon (founded by Jeff Bezos in Seattle, USA) and eBay (founded by Pierre Omidyar in San José, USA) launched their online platforms. These companies fundamentally changed the way people shop, and the consequences for logistics were enormous.
Before the e-commerce era, picking in traditional warehouses meant preparing large orders for stores or distributors – entire pallets or complete cases of identical products. It was a relatively simple process: a pallet was picked up and delivered. With the advent of online sales, the nature of orders changed radically. Now, a warehouse must process thousands of small orders, each containing different products – from a book and a phone, to a pair of socks and a charger.
Amazon was the company that revolutionized picking the most. In 2012, it acquired Kiva Systems (later renamed Amazon Robotics) for $775 million, introducing autonomous robots that bring shelves to picking operators – a concept called "goods-to-person" (products come to the operator, not the other way around). This innovation reduced processing times by over 75% and enabled the management of over 400 million unique products (SKUs) globally.
eBay contributed to the democratization of online commerce, allowing small entrepreneurs to sell globally. This generated an enormous need for accessible picking solutions for small and medium-sized businesses – compact, yet efficient warehouses, equipped with modular shelving that allows for the organization and rapid collection of varied products.
Other companies that accelerated the transformation of picking include Alibaba (China), which operates the world's largest automated warehouse with over 700 robots, Zalando (Germany), with logistics centers specializing in fashion, and Shopify, which through its fulfillment network enabled small merchants to access enterprise-level logistics infrastructure.
Types of Picking Systems
The logistics industry has developed several picking methods, each adapted to specific needs:
1. Discrete Picking (Piece Picking) – The operator walks through the warehouse and collects products for a single order at a time. It is the simplest method, ideal for small warehouses with low order volumes. Requires well-organized professional shelving for quick access to products.
2. Batch Picking – The operator collects products for several orders simultaneously, in a single pass through the warehouse. Significantly reduces travel distances and is efficient for warehouses with many orders containing similar products.
3. Zone Picking – The warehouse is divided into zones, and each operator is responsible only for their zone. Orders pass from one zone to another until complete. This method works excellently in large warehouses with varied product ranges.
4. Wave Picking – A combination of batch picking and zone picking, where orders are grouped into "waves" and processed simultaneously in all zones. It is the preferred method of large online retailers for high order volumes.
5. Goods-to-Person (GTP) – The automated system brings products to the picking operator, completely eliminating human movement. It is the most advanced form of picking, used by Amazon, Ocado, and other companies with very high volumes.
6. Pick-to-Light and Voice Picking – Semi-automated systems where light indicators or voice instructions guide the operator to the correct product. They increase accuracy to over 99.9% and are ideal for warehouses with medium volumes.
The Importance of Shelving in Picking Efficiency
Regardless of the chosen picking method, the shelving system is the fundamental element that determines the efficiency of the entire process. Well-chosen shelving allows for the logical organization of products, quick access to items, and clear visibility of stock.
For picking operations, the main requirements of a shelving system are: excellent accessibility at the individual product level, modularity for adapting to varied product ranges, resistance for intensive daily use, and compatibility with labeling and barcode systems.
Classic pallet racking, while excellent for bulk storage, is not optimal for piece-level picking. For efficient picking, specialized shelving with adjustable shelves, front access, and complete product visibility is required.
Polirack Medium-Duty Shelving: The Ideal Solution for Professional Picking
Among all types of shelving available on the market, Polirack medium-duty shelving stands out as the optimal solution for picking areas. These shelves have been specially designed to meet the needs of rapid product collection operations.
Why Polirack medium-duty shelves are ideal for picking:
First, shelves adjustable every 50 mm allow precise adjustment of the space between levels depending on product size. This means you can optimize every centimeter of vertical space, eliminating unnecessary gaps and increasing storage density in the picking area.
Second, the capacity of 150-300 kg per level offers maximum versatility. You can store anything from light products such as stationery and small electronics, to heavier products such as tools, auto parts, or equipment. This capacity range covers the needs of most e-commerce and retail picking operations.
Third, the modular galvanized steel construction ensures durability under intensive use conditions. In an active picking area, shelves are constantly challenged – operators pick and place products hundreds of times a day. Polirack medium-duty shelves are designed to withstand this pace without deformation or damage, with a lifespan of over 15 years.
Fourth, quick boltless assembly (clip or boltless system) allows for reconfiguring the picking area according to seasonal changes in product range. If in December you need more space for toys, and in January for electronics, you can reorganize the shelves in a few hours, without special tools.
Last but not least, full front access and 360° product visibility make these shelves the ideal partner for any picking method – from piece picking to zone picking and pick-to-light. The operator immediately sees the desired product, can access it without obstacles, and confirms picking in seconds.
Picking in Romania: Trends and Opportunities in 2026
The e-commerce market in Romania has grown steadily, and this trend is accelerating. With over 10 million online shoppers and a double-digit annual growth rate, the demand for efficient logistics services has never been higher.
For Romanian entrepreneurs and companies operating fulfillment warehouses, investing in professional picking equipment is no longer optional – it is a condition for survival. Customers expect 24-hour delivery, 100% order accuracy, and hassle-free returns. All of this is only possible with a modern picking infrastructure.
The good news is that you don't have to invest millions in robots like Amazon to have efficient picking. With professional Polirack medium-duty shelving, a warehouse management system (WMS), and well-defined processes, even a 200-500 sqm warehouse can achieve remarkable picking productivity.
Completing the picking system with dedicated accessories such as dividers, location labels, and picking bins transforms an ordinary warehouse into a high-performance logistics center, capable of competing with major market players.
