Field notes · 2026-02-09
Pick-face gaps that hide slow movers
Slow movers often look busy because the pick face is full. Here is how to spot stalled cartons behind the active slots.
A full pick face can hide slow movers stacked two deep. Floor teams see activity; aging panels see cartons that have not left the slot for weeks. The gap between those views is where write-offs grow quietly.
During an inventory walkthrough, we ask pickers which slots they touch daily and which they only tidy. That conversation often surfaces SKUs that look presentable but never make a customer order.
Move confirmed slow movers to a smaller face or a clearance bay with an aging flag. Do not wait for the annual stocktake to discover them. A food distribution dashboard that only shows top sellers will miss this entirely.
Pair the visual check with a simple turn signal: units out over a set window versus units still on hand. Exact formulas vary by category; the habit of reading the signal matters more than a perfect model.