GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 25, 2026

Lateral Flow Picking System

Where static shelving requires pickers to travel to the goods, a lateral flow picking system brings goods continuously to the operator.

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Last updated: 25 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

Source: https://www.logisticsglossary.com/lateral-flow-picking

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Logistics Concept

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Definition & Explanation

Where static shelving requires pickers to travel to the goods, a lateral flow picking system brings goods continuously to the operator. Side-inclined roller lanes use gravity to move totes or cartons from a replenishment aisle to the picking face; as soon as one unit is removed, the next advances automatically. This cuts walking distances sharply, improves ergonomics, and raises throughput in medium to high-volume environments. Typical applications include wholesale distribution, food logistics, and pharmaceutical order fulfilment, where high pick frequencies are required across a relatively contained SKU range. The key distinction from conventional flow racking lies in the direction of movement: lateral along the pick face rather than depth-oriented from back to front.

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Lateral Flow Picking System

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