Carton
Flow
Shelving

Carton Flow Shelving – Efficient, SpaceSmart Order Picking

For warehouses handling high-demand, small-to-medium-sized items, carton flow shelving offers a highly efficient and organised storage solution. Using gravity-fed roller tracks or wheeled beds, this system automatically moves cartons and totes to the front of each shelf as items are picked.

By keeping products within easy reach and reducing unnecessary handling, carton flow shelving helps businesses increase storage density, speed up order fulfilment, and improve accuracy. For companies committed to Ikon’s SpaceSmart philosophy, it’s a simple yet powerful way to get more out of your existing warehouse storage system.

What is Carton Flow Shelving?

Also known as carton live storage, carton flow shelving is a dynamic warehouse shelving system that ensures continuous product availability at the pick face. Goods are loaded from the rear and automatically roll forward on inclined roller beds. As one carton is removed, the next slides neatly into position, ready for picking.

This design supports first-in, first-out (FIFO) stock rotation, reduces wasted movement, and keeps inventory clearly organised. By minimising the time workers spend retrieving products, carton flow shelving significantly improves picking speed and order accuracy.

Benefits of Carton Flow Shelving

Carton flow shelving delivers multiple advantages over traditional static shelving. It dramatically reduces picking times by keeping items constantly at the front of racks, allowing staff to work faster and with fewer errors. Its high-density design optimises warehouse capacity, storing multiple SKUs in compact areas and making better use of floor space.

Because products are loaded at the back and picked from the front, stock is automatically rotated — an essential feature for industries handling perishable or date-sensitive goods. The system also reduces labour costs by cutting walking distances and handling steps, while its ergonomic design helps lower strain on staff.

Flexible and scalable, carton flow shelving can be customised with roller tracks, dividers, and adjustable shelves to handle cartons, totes, or mixed items. As businesses grow, it can be easily expanded to meet new demands, making it a future-proof investment in efficient warehouse racking solutions.

Industries That Benefit

Carton flow shelving is ideal for industries where fast picking, stock rotation, and accessibility are critical. E-commerce and retail warehouses use it to manage large SKU ranges and fast-moving stock. Pharmaceutical facilities rely on it for strict FIFO control of sensitive inventory. Food and beverage businesses use it for packaged goods requiring freshness, while automotive and spare parts suppliers benefit from organised access to small components. Distribution centres and logistics hubs also depend on it for high-throughput fulfilment operations.

Carton Flow vs. Static Shelving

Unlike conventional static shelving, which requires products to be stacked and manually retrieved, carton flow racking uses gravity to maintain stock at the pick face. This ensures continuous availability, improves organisation, reduces picking errors, and delivers much denser, more efficient warehouse layouts. For facilities with fast-moving items, carton flow shelving outperforms traditional storage every time.

Why Choose Ikon Carton Flow Shelving?

At Ikon, we design and install warehouse racking systems that improve efficiency, safety, and scalability. Our carton flow shelving stands out because it is custom-designed to fit your warehouse layout and product range, built from durable steel and high-quality roller systems, and available with multiple configuration options.

Backed by expert consultation, installation, and maintenance, Ikon ensures your warehouse shelving and racking system delivers long-term performance and measurable improvements in efficiency.

Smarter Order Fulfilment with Ikon

Every second matters in a fast-moving warehouse. By integrating carton flow shelving, you can reduce picking times, increase storage density, and maintain consistent FIFO stock rotation. The result is a more efficient, organised, and truly SpaceSmart warehouse storage solution that supports business growth.