Poundstretcher has improved the accuracy of its store replenishment with a voice-directed warehouse system.

The 326-store retailer began in May its implementation of the Aldata voice picking application, which integrates with its existing Aldata warehouse management system.

Poundstretcher conducted two trials of the system – one in bulky stock and the other in FMCG – and has since built on the benefits gained.

IT change manager Fran Gledhill said: “The pick gaps were running at over 4 per cent at the start of the trial, by the last week of the trial they were down to about 1.3 per cent and this week it is down to about the 1 per cent mark.”

She added: “It is all about improving accuracy, and every time you have a pick gap the store expects something and then doesn’t get it. Now, what’s ordered by stores is very close to what
is dispatched.”

The introduction of voice picking has also led to a general reduction in administration in the distribution centre.

About 50 pickers on each shift use the system on Motorola MC3090 handheld computers, with voice-directed picking live across the majority of the distribution centre.

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