Even though we knew about Corona virus for months, the sudden spread of the global pandemic has hit governments, businesses and people out of the blue. People were left scrambling for essential items including food, medicine, disinfectants and hygiene products which flew off the shelves. Meanwhile all non essential items suppliers, and major retail outlets including Amazon, Wal-Mart, Target and Costco were forced to shut down operations to prevent the spread of the virus.
Non-Essential Suppliers Were Hit the Hardest
Non-essential retailers and suppliers were some of the hardest hit businesses. While consumers focused on buying essentials, non-essentials like clothing, shoes, electronics and other products were completely ignored by the consumers. When retailers closed shop they were left with huge inventories with limited storage space.
Amazon recently announced that it was blocking shipment and storage of all non-essential products to its warehouses. The company chose to do it in response to the significant increase in orders that it has seen for essential products from around the world.
Manufacturers, suppliers and retailers now have to find different reliable warehouses to store their products until the crisis is over. Some say it could take weeks while the experts are more sceptical and say it could take up to months before we can be sure and allow people back on the streets.
In either case, it brings uncertainty to the market for on-line and other retailers.
On-Demand Space for Non Essentials
Due to the fall in demand, retail businesses for non-essentials are quickly booking up space at on-demand warehouses to store their goods.
A large variety of on-demand warehouses are equipped to provide excellent storage for non-essential items. While some niche, on-demand warehouses specialise in non-essentials, almost every warehouse has a dedicated section for storing items such as clothing, footwear, furniture, equipment, tools and electronics.
The major benefit of working with an on-demand store is that you won’t be bound by any long-term contracts. On-demand warehouses, at LogistCompare have quickly adapted and changed their storage and delivery capacity to meet the growing needs of non-essential retailers.
One of the strategies they’ve adapted is social distancing and operating in shifts. On demand warehouses have voluntarily adapted social distancing measures that are stricter than the ones advised by the UK government to prevent the spread of COVID 19.
There is greater emphasis on hygiene with masks and gloves becoming a normal part of workers’ uniform. Warehouses are periodically cleaned with disinfectants and sanitizers are made available at all stations.
Workers’ body temperature is checked at entrance. They are routinely trained and reminded to use sanitizers and stay home if they have any symptoms.
Human handling of products is limited with robots and forklifts carrying out the bulk of product handling at warehouses.
As a retailer, you can use on-demand warehouses to store your inventory safely and reliably. If your business receives a customer order, our on-demand warehousing partners can deliver the products to your customer premises quickly and reliably.