Case Study
With a high turnover rate and a need for efficient inventory management across multiple stores, Cabela’s required a streamlined backroom storage solution. The design aimed to facilitate rapid restocking while minimizing retail floor usage. Each solution was crafted to store two weeks’ worth of product inventory per store, enabling quick retrieval of items and maximizing floor space for customer access to displays.
Cabela’s, a prominent sporting goods retailer with locations across North America, specializes in outdoor equipment, apparel, and specialty gear. Known for its extensive inventory and customer service, Cabela’s sought to enhance its backroom storage to support rapid replenishment and efficient handling of garments and equipment across its stores.
Cabela’s needed to optimize backroom space to support its extensive inventory while keeping essential items close at hand for quick replenishment. With eight locations of varying size, the company required a flexible storage design that could handle diverse product types, from large camping gear to hanging apparel. By investing in scalable storage solutions, Cabela’s aimed to keep up with demand, reduce time spent on restocking, and make room for new product lines.
The integrated storage system implemented for Cabela’s significantly enhanced backroom efficiency across its eight locations. By optimizing layout and introducing advanced storage modules like pallet racking and automated garment storage, the new system enables up to two weeks of product inventory per store, supporting rapid retrieval and seamless replenishment. These improvements maximize retail space, reduce handling time, and empower Cabela’s to meet high customer demand with unmatched speed and precision.
Cabela’s collaborated with a storage solutions provider to analyze each store’s operational needs, identifying bottlenecks and pinpointing improvements to optimize space utilization and retrieval speed.
Using AutoCAD, the storage team crafted customized layouts that organized space efficiently, ensuring seamless movement and minimal handling time.
High-density storage options, like pallet racking, rivet racks, and cantilevers, were selected to accommodate Cabela’s varied inventory. Installation was carefully managed to keep each store operational during the upgrade.
From planning through installation, each phase of the project was tightly managed to maintain timelines, minimize disruption, and ensure a smooth rollout.
Cabela’s solution included dedicated storage modules tailored to fit the specific needs of each store. These systems were strategically designed to enable fast retrieval, support garment storage, and organize items by popularity and type.
Key Storage Solutions Implemented:
Pallet Racking Modules: Ideal for bulk storage, these modules optimize space for high-quantity items.
Rivet Rack Modules: Efficiently store smaller items or individual units, supporting the rapid replenishment of high-demand products.
Cantilever Racks: Perfect for long or bulky items, ideal for outdoor gear.
Automated Garment Storage: Enables efficient storage and access to hanging apparel.
To further enhance efficiency, conveyor systems were installed to facilitate the smooth movement of items between picking, packing, and storage areas.
Conveyor Types Included: Transport Belts: Streamline the movement of
items within the backroom, reducing manual handling.
Accumulation Points: Temporary holding zones ensure a smooth flow of items for processing.
Automated Hanging Systems: Offer quick access and retrieval for garments, minimizing restocking time.
Cabela’s new backroom storage solution empowers each location to meet its high customer demand while keeping products ready for rapid replenishment. With optimized layouts and specialized equipment, the retailer can ensure product availability and maximize floor space for an exceptional shopping experience.
The Results
Cabela’s new backroom storage system, designed and implemented to optimize efficiency across multiple locations, has greatly enhanced its operational capacity. The solution, which includes customized layout configurations and advanced storage modules like pallet racking and automated garment storage, has enabled Cabela’s to store up to two weeks’ worth of inventory per store. This setup not only maximizes space utilization but also allows rapid retrieval of items, supporting quick replenishment of retail displays as products are sold. By improving retrieval speed and reducing the need for frequent restocking, Cabela’s can now better meet customer demand while keeping retail space clear and accessible.
