4. Discussion
This study characterized four major categories
of determinants that affect the handling activity
and the resulting constraints. In the first part of
the discussion, we attempt to generalize the results
to all warehouse superstores, while in the second,
we discuss the study’s strong points and limitations.
4.1. Specificity of warehouse superstores
One can hypothesize that the characteristics
relating to the very concept of a warehouse
superstore as well as to its marketing strategies
do explain the results presented in this study. The
warehouse superstore concept implies that the
majority of the merchandise is placed in the sales
area because storage is limited, as compared to
other retail businesses where a backstore is
present. Furthermore, simple floor layouts are
favored and sales volume is high, yielding low
prices to the end customers. Warehouse superstores
are also characterized by a low profit
margin. Some specific marketing strategies such
as the ‘‘full’’ effect also seem to apply to warehouse
superstores to promote the sale of target
products. The variety of products intended for a
targeted clientele is generally good. Using examples,
let us see how these characteristics of warehouse
superstores can impact on the determinants
described in this study and the related constraints.
Product promotion: A common characteristic of
warehouse superstores is the simplicity of their
floor layouts, which are designed mainly to
promote sales and not facilitate the materials
handling activities. In the store studied, the ‘‘full’’
effect was considered a crucial marketing strategy
which has repercussions on the physical and time
constraints. No space must be left empty when the
store opens and the merchandise must be stacked
high, particularly in the end caps. The layout
constraints documented in this study, such as the
high placement heights and vertical travel distances,
can undoubtedly be generalized to other
stores where high shelving is also designed
primarily for storage needs.
High purchase volume: The fact that the merchandise
is presented on pallets determines the
type of equipment used, namely the pallet jack, an
equipment commonly used also in superstores and
warehouses. What clearly differentiates the store
studied here from other studies is in the frequency
of use of this equipment. Our results indicate that
on average, stockers used the pallet jack 54 times
during a shift, with major variations depending on
the sections. The difficulties involved in the use of
the pallet jack are well documented in the
literature (Mack et al., 1995). These include
problems when starting and stopping, the force
required and the often problematic turns with
unstable loading. Added to this is the effect of
environmental factors such as uneven floor surfaces,
limited space and corner turns. Most of
these difficulties were observed in our study. But
the main problem related to this equipment was
that of incompatibility with pallets in our study.
The introduction of pallets of smaller dimensions,
namely the ShepUS , would require a change in
pallet jack fork dimensions. In the last few years,
Shep US-type pallets have become widespread in