Pallet racking and industrial shelving are often mentioned together, but they solve different problems. Choosing the wrong one means paying for storage that does not suit your stock or the way your team works. This guide explains the difference and how to decide.
What is pallet racking?
Pallet racking is built to hold full pallets, which are loaded and unloaded by forklift or pallet truck. Steel uprights and beams create levels, so pallets can be stored high and the floor space below is used efficiently. It is the standard choice for bulk and palletised goods. Our pallet racking page explains the main configurations.
What is industrial shelving?
Industrial shelving is designed for items stored by hand rather than by pallet: cartons, tools, spare parts and loose stock. Shelves are reached on foot or with a ladder, so units are usually lower and bays narrower. You can read more on our industrial shelving page.
How to decide
- Look at how stock arrives. If goods arrive on pallets and move by forklift, pallet racking is usually the better fit.
- Look at how stock is picked. If staff pick individual items or cartons by hand, shelving is usually more practical.
- Look at the weight. Heavy, bulky loads belong on racking designed for them, such as heavy duty racking.
- Look at your space. Tall buildings favour racking, while small rooms and stores often suit shelving.
Using both together
Many warehouses use both: pallet racking for bulk storage and shelving for fast-moving small items near the packing area. A mixed layout often gives the best use of space and the fastest picking.
Get advice for your site
The right answer depends on your stock, your building and your budget. Tell us what you store and we will recommend a practical layout. You can request a quote or explore our full product range.
Cost and budget
Shelving is usually cheaper per unit, but it stores less per square metre of floor than racking in a tall building. Racking costs more but can store far more pallets in the same area. Compare the cost per pallet or per cubic metre stored, not just the price of each unit.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Putting heavy pallets on light-duty shelving.
- Choosing racking for items that are picked by hand, which makes picking slow.
- Ignoring future growth when choosing a layout.
- Skipping a site survey, so the system does not fit the building.
If you are unsure, our technical services team can survey your site and recommend the right mix.