REDUCE INEFFICIENCIES AND IMPROVE END-TO-END PERFORMANCE IN YOUR RETAIL  AND DISTRIBUTION OPERATIONS 

Our Zero Muda approach helps retail and distribution operations lower operating costs, speed up order fulfilment, improve picking and inventory accuracy, reduce damage, and make better use of space, while supporting safety, sustainability and visibility.
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Typical Challenges in Your Sector

Retail and distribution operations run at high velocity and tight margins, so any friction in your processes can quickly impact service levels, costs and customer experience.


Typical challenges include:

  • Slow order fulfilment impacting delivery promises and customer satisfaction
  • High operating costs per order due to manual handling, travel time and inefficient workflows
  • Picking and inventory inaccuracies leading to returns, re-picks, stockouts, overstock and emergency replenishment
  • Product damage in storage, picking and transport that erodes margin and brand trust
  • Poor space utilisation in racking and bulk storage, limiting capacity and increasing expansion costs
  • Safety, sustainability and visibility challenges in busy, mixed-traffic environments with pressure to cut emissions and gain real-time insight into orders, inventory, equipment and people

The Zero Muda Approach for Retail and Distribution

By applying a Zero Muda approach, businesses identify and reduce waste across people, processes, and equipment, improving performance where it matters most.

Retail and Distribution operations can achieve:

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Lower operating costs

Our consultancy approach, trucks, automation, storage, fleet and energy solutions work together to lower your operating costs.

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Faster throughput

Smarter store replenishment, faster picking and better stock flows from warehouse to shop floor.

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Environmental benefits

Optimised routes, automation and the right energy solution cut emissions, wasted journeys and in‑store disruption.

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Better space utilisation

VNA trucks and shuttle racking help you store more in the same footprint and free up valuable space.

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Improved accuracy & fewer errors

Automation, innovative technology and guided order pickers cut picking mistakes, misloads and stock discrepancies.

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Improved customer satisfaction

Stocked shelves, accurate orders and on‑time deliveries keep your customers happy.

Our Solutions, Delivered Through a Zero Muda Approach

Zero Muda is delivered through Toyota Material Handling's complete range of solutions.

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Consultancy Approach

We assess operational challenges, workflows, downtime, and cost-reduction opportunities. Using our lean thinking approach, we support you to reduce waste that drives greater efficiency, sustainability, and long-term value.

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Automated Solutions

Streamline and standardise workflows for higher throughput, combat labour shortages, improve safety, reduce damage and achieve greater accuracy by introducing automation solutions into your handling operations. 

 

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Energy & Sustainability Solutions 

We help optimise fuel and energy usage through smarter fleet choices, including electric options, to reduce operating costs and environmental impact. 

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Fleet, Safety & Performance Management 

Through fleet management technology and advanced safety systems, we provide better visibility of your operation — helping reduce costs, improve safety, and increase productivity. 

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Reliable Material Handling Equipment 

We specify the right equipment for your operation, from counterbalance and order picking trucks to VNA, powered pallet trucks, and tow tractors. 

Real Results in Retail and Distribution

Toyota Material Handling's Zero Muda approach has helped manufacturing businesses significantly reduce inefficiencies across their operations.

 

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  • Minimised physical strain and injury risk, which reduced staff downtime and improved reliability of tasks.
  • Improved flow of palletised loads (higher throughput, fewer handling steps).
  • “We have managed to simply and highly cost-effectively reduce the amount of manual work required”
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Encirc (The Park)  

Warehouse automation is delivering measurable benefits for high-volume operations, as shown by Encirc (formally The Park), one of the UK’s largest independent wine bottling and storage facilities. By implementing Toyota automated trucks and shuttle systems, the business has improved throughput, reduced labour dependency and operating costs, and increased storage efficiency, creating a safer, more scalable operation built for future growth.

 

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29 automated reach trucks

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Moving 1.2 million pallets annually

 

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1.6 million in annual savings

Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zero Muda?

Zero Muda is a lean-thinking approach that helps organisations identify and remove waste across their material handling operations, improving efficiency, safety, and performance. It means Zero Waste. 

How does Zero Muda apply to Retail & Distribution?

Zero Muda reduces waste across retail and distribution by improving stock flow, cutting handling and errors, optimising space and energy use, and enabling faster, more accurate replenishment from warehouse to shop floor.

How do we get started?

Fill in the form below and a member of the team will be in touch. If you're not sure which solution you require and would prefer a consultation, please select the 'consultant' option. 

Start your journey to achieving operational efficiency.