The term 'zone picking' refers to what logistical strategy?

Zone picking is a logistical strategy that involves subdividing a picking list by specific areas within a warehouse or distribution center. In this method, the inventory is divided into distinct zones, and individual pickers are assigned to these zones. As orders come in, the pickers gather items from their designated areas rather than traversing the entire warehouse. This specialization helps to increase efficiency and reduce the time spent searching for and picking items, as each picker only focuses on a smaller section of the overall inventory.

This approach optimizes the workflow significantly because it allows multiple pickers to work on different parts of the same order simultaneously, thereby speeding up the overall picking process. By dividing the work based on geographical areas within the warehouse, organizations can better manage their resources and improve productivity, making zone picking a popular choice in modern logistics operations.