Warehouse Order Picking Market Growth & Trends:
The global warehouse order picking market size is anticipated to reach USD 18.70 billion by 2030. It is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 10.8% from 2024 to 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The global warehouse order picking market is experiencing significant growth, driven by various factors such as the increasing demand for automation in warehouses, the rapid development of the e-commerce industry, and the need to reduce response time and increase order fulfillment productivity.
There is a growing preference among warehouse owners to incorporate automation technologies such as barcode scanning, RFID, voice-directed picking, and robotics to reduce order processing time and increase productivity. These technologies streamline order processing, reduce human errors, lower operating costs, and improve overall productivity. For example, RFID technology can increase SKU-level inventory accuracy, voice picking can save time per pick, and robotics can handle repetitive tasks, all contributing to these benefits. Additionally, automation technologies can improve the customer experience by ensuring product availability and accuracy.
Companies are outsourcing manufacturing and storage activities across the globe, leading to intricate supply chain networks. Automated order picking and inventory management systems enable businesses to efficiently manage these complex global supply chains and meet personalized customer requirements with high accuracy and speed. Customers now expect faster delivery times, putting pressure on warehouses to process orders quickly. Automated systems such as goods-to-person robots, voice-directed picking, and automated conveyors can significantly reduce order processing times compared to manual operations.
However, implementing advanced order picking technologies such as automation systems, robotics, and warehouse management software often requires substantial upfront capital investments. This can be a significant barrier, especially for small and medium-sized businesses with limited budgets. In addition, advanced order picking solutions often require regular maintenance, software updates, and hardware upgrades to ensure optimal performance and compatibility with evolving technologies. These ongoing maintenance costs and the need for periodic upgrades can add to the overall operational expenses for businesses, potentially impacting their return on investment (ROI) calculations.
Warehouse Order Picking Market Report Highlights:
- The cloud segment claimed the largest market share of 58.0% in 2023 in the warehouse order picking market, driven by several key factors. The cloud segment dominates the warehouse order picking market due to its scalability, cost-efficiency, and real-time data access. It allows warehouses to adapt quickly to changing demands and optimize operations without significant upfront investments. Cloud solutions offer remote accessibility, seamless integration with advanced technologies such as IoT and AI, and robust security measures, ensuring efficient and secure operations. In addition, cloud services provide continuous updates, disaster recovery, and improved collaboration capabilities, making them a highly attractive option for modernizing and streamlining warehouse order picking processes
- The multiple order picking method segment is projected to register the fastest CAGR of 11.0%. This method enhances order accuracy through integration with advanced technologies, offers scalability to handle growing e-commerce demands, and provides flexibility for diverse product types and order sizes. In addition, by consolidating the picking of multiple orders into a single trip, multiple order picking minimizes the travel distance within the warehouse. This reduction in travel time leads to faster order fulfillment and increased throughput
- The conveyor segment dominated the warehouse order picking market in 2023. Conveyors can easily integrate with other automated systems, such as automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), robotic pickers, and warehouse management software, creating a streamlined and highly efficient order picking process. In addition, conveyor systems can be expanded and reconfigured relatively easily to accommodate changes in warehouse layout or increases in order volume, providing scalability for growing businesses
- The e-commerce segment is projected to register the fastest CAGR of 13.4%. Consumers are increasingly turning to e-commerce for a wide variety of products, from everyday essentials to luxury items, leading to a surge in demand for efficient order fulfillment processes. E-commerce platforms often face a high volume of small, frequent orders compared to traditional retail, necessitating sophisticated order picking systems that can handle this high order density quickly and accurately. This surging demand compels e-commerce businesses to invest in advanced warehouse technologies and methodologies to maintain high service levels and customer satisfaction, driving the growth of the warehouse order picking market
- North America, led by the U.S., dominated the warehouse order picking market in 2023. North America is at the forefront of adopting advanced technologies such as automation, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT). Additionally, the U.S. has a large and diverse retail sector, both online and offline. This diversity requires sophisticated logistics and order fulfillment systems to manage the wide variety of products and order types, further boosting the demand for advanced warehouse order picking solutions
- In March 2023, Swisslog Holding AG introduced the latest iteration of its CarryPick mobile robotic goods-to-person retrieval and storage system. The next-generation solution boasts enhanced capabilities, including faster and more agile AGVs. By leveraging these advancements, Swisslog Holding AG aims to elevate performance levels and accelerate the return on investment for its valued customers