GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026
FIFO (First-In-First-Out)
Warehouse managers and supply chain planners use FIFO (First-In-First-Out) to ensure that stock received earliest is the first to be picked, processed, or shipped.
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Definition & Explanation
Warehouse managers and supply chain planners use FIFO (First-In-First-Out) to ensure that stock received earliest is the first to be picked, processed, or shipped. The method is standard in food, pharmaceutical, and chemical storage, where incorrect rotation leads directly to spoilage, batch recalls, or regulatory non-compliance. Implementation relies on clear labelling with receipt dates and lot numbers, or on warehouse management systems (WMS) that automatically direct pickers to the oldest stock first. FIFO differs from LIFO (Last-In-First-Out), which prioritises the most recently received goods, and from FEFO (First-Expired-First-Out), which ranks inventory by expiry date rather than by date of receipt. In many regulated industries, FIFO or FEFO compliance is mandated by GMP guidelines or sector-specific regulation.
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