Best Forklifts for the Retail Industry
What are the best forklifts for the retail industry? Here are our choices (click on each link to learn more.)
In Your Back Room - Electric Walkie Pallet Jacks and Stackers
In a Small Warehouse - 3-Wheel Electric Counterbalance Forklifts & Reach Trucks
In a Larger Warehouse - 4-Wheel Electric Counterbalance Forklifts
If you would like additional help choosing the best forklifts for the retail industry, contact Forklift Hub
Discover the best forklifts for the retail industry
What are the Best Forklifts for the Retail Industry?
The retail industry has some very unique challenges when it comes to moving products quickly and efficiently. Limited space is one of the biggest concerns.
Read on to find out which forklifts can help you keep your products moving at the speed required to ensure success.
1. Best Forklifts for the Retail Industry on Your Sales floor - Electric Walkie Pallet Jacks
Electric walkies will work well on your sales floor
Electric walkie pallet jacks are your best choice for use on your sales floor. You can easily use walkies to move your stock from your backroom to your sales floor with minimal disruption to your customers.
Walkies work well in a retail setting because they are smaller and can maneuver around the tighter spaces in your store. They are also narrow enough so that your customers will not be bothered by them if you need to put out merchandise during opening hours.
They will also help your staff be more efficient as you can move larger, heavier boxes back and forth at one time instead of having to carry small loads of product by hand.
The handles help you control the speed, steering and lifting and because you are walking, it is not going fast enough to be a safety issue for customers or other staff.
Watch how an electric walkie pallet jack works
2. Best Forklifts for the Retail Industry In Your BackRoom - Electric Walkie Pallet Jacks and Stackers
Best forklifts for the retail industry: Pallet jacks do the heavy work for you
Walkies and stackers are the best forklift type for the retail industry backroom setting. Most backrooms are notoriously small and crowded, so you need to choose a forklift that will work well in this type of situation.
You can easily use walkies and stackers to move your stock onto both lower and higher-level shelving. Choosing an electric model as opposed to a manual one will make this job much easier and more efficient for your staff as your forklift will do all the heavy lifting for you.
Walkies are also highly maneuverable, making them easy to navigate around the tight corners and aisles in your backroom.
Stackers are one of the best forklifts for the retail industry
3. Best Forklifts for the Retail Industry In a Small Warehouse: 3-Wheel Electric Counterbalance Forklifts & Reach Trucks
If you have a small warehouse for your retail business then a 3-wheel electric counterbalance forklift would be a good option. 3-wheel forklifts are more maneuverable and require less space to operate than 4-wheel forklifts.
Due to their slender, 3-wheeled design, they have a much tighter turning radius than a traditional 4-wheel forklift.
In addition, you can choose a stand-up version that has the operator stand up instead of sitting in a cab. Doing away with seating means that the dimensions of this type of forklift are even smaller, making it great for fitting into tighter spaces.
If you have a smaller warehouse with elevated storage areas, you will usually require a forklift that is designed to lift to higher heights. A reach truck is designed to reach higher than traditional forklifts so it is perfect if you have tight, high spaces to reach in your warehouse.
Reach trucks are one of the best forklifts for the retail industry in tight spaces
4. Best Forklifts for the Retail Industry In a Larger Warehouse: 4-Wheel Electric Counterbalance Forklifts
If you are retailing heavier products and require more lifting capacity for your forklift, then a 4-wheel electric counterbalance forklift is a great choice.
With the advancement of technology and the use of lithium-ion batteries, it is now possible to get electric forklifts that have the strength to handle heavier loads. You can now get models that have lifting capacities ranging from 4,000 to 35,000 lbs.
However, the more lifting capacity a forklift has, the larger the forklift needs to be, so you should choose a model that will give you the best balance between power and size.
A 4-wheel electric forklift is great for larger warehouses
5. Best Forklifts for the Retail Industry For Online Businesses - Order pickers
One of the best forklifts for the retail industry is an order picker
Online retail business is growing rapidly and the competition is fierce. If you run an online business, you know how important it is to get your customers' orders processed and sent to them as soon as possible. That is where order pickers can help.
Order pickers can lift workers and loads to high locations to select the products you need quickly and efficiently. They make it possible for you to maximize the space in your warehouse, by giving your staff safe and easy access to your higher shelving.
Learn how to choose the right order picker for your needs
Extra Tips:
If you need your forklift to operate mostly inside your warehouse then choosing one with cushion tires designed to easily move over smooth, even surfaces is a good idea.
Electric forklifts are the perfect choice for indoor applications as they don't give off harmful fumes as fossil-fuel-burning forklifts do. If you choose one with an onboard charger, then you can also greatly reduce any downtime for recharging your battery.
If you choose an electric forklift that has a lithium-ion battery, then your charging times are much faster and your maintenance will be much less complicated than if you purchase a lead-acid battery electric forklift. You will also save on the space required for a forklift battery charging station.
Why Choose Forklift Hub for the Best Forklifts for the Retail Industry
Whether you are in the market for a new or used forklift, talk to the professionals at Forklift Hub.
Forklift Hub offers the best warranties in the business for both new and used forklifts so you can purchase with confidence!
Our expert sales team can find the perfect model for your needs with an incredible warranty to match.
If you are looking for reliable and affordable maintenance and parts for your forklift, Forklift Hub has an incredible service department that is there for you 24/7 to make sure that you are always up and running. Contact us today!
