FEFO, FIFO or LIFO? The differences in storage strategies

Whether it's invoices, the email inbox or documents. Everyone quickly appreciates a good filing system because it makes everyday life easier and avoids endless searching. But a Schufa entry because of a lost invoice is the worst thing that can happen in private desk chaos.

Professionally, things are different. Especially when you no longer have to manage just your own paperwork, but an entire warehouse. Slipcases and folders are relatively useless. Nevertheless, the storekeepers have to keep track of everything. Fortunately, the appropriate software now helps here. However, this is also based on so-called "storage strategies". These are less concerned with the what and where is stored, but how the warehouses, inputs and outputs are structured.

Storage strategy No. 1 : The FEFO

FEFO stands for "First Expired - First Out" and means that those goods with the earliest expiry date are to be removed from storage first. Of course, this only makes sense for goods that have an expiry date. This is why this strategy is used for the storage of food or pharmaceuticals.

Storage strategy no.2: FIFO

This storage strategy differs from the FEFO by only one letter or word. Nevertheless, it means something different. The "first in - first out" storage strategy means that the goods stored first are also taken out first. To put it more simply, the goods that have been in storage the longest come out. That means in the logistics then flow storage. But there are also combinations of FEFO and FIFO, for example. Good systems make it possible.

Storage strategy no.3: LIFO

You can probably guess that if there is a storage strategy according to the "first in - first out" principle, there is also one according to the "last in - first out" principle. This is used, for example, in drive-in racking warehouses. The LIFO strategy makes sense when the Goods either hardly changes or there are always different amounts that are "deposited".

Storage strategy no.4: HIFO

Highest in - First out" is again about the goods with the highest value leaving the warehouse first. In the case of the logistics this is the procurement value. This strategy is useful, for example, with raw materials that are also attacked by time.

Storage strategy no.5: LOFO

"Lowest in - First out" - right. Here, the cheapest goods go out first. However, HIFO and LOFO are used less often or in a complementary way.

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