Pick and Pack
A fulfilment process in which warehouse operatives select individual items from storage and pack them into shipment containers for dispatch.
Full Definition
Pick and pack refers to the order fulfilment workflow that combines the picking stage (selecting the correct items from warehouse storage) and the packing stage (placing them into appropriate packaging for shipment). It is widely used in e-commerce and retail distribution. When used as an attributive compound modifier (e.g., 'pick-and-pack operations'), all elements are hyphenated. When used as a standalone noun phrase, hyphens are typically omitted. Editors should be alert to inconsistent hyphenation within documents.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate all elements when used attributively: 'pick-and-pack operations'. As a noun phrase, 'pick and pack' without hyphens is acceptable. Distinguish from 'kitting', which involves assembling components into sets.
In Context
- "The distribution centre handled over 5,000 pick and pack orders per day during the holiday season." — Fulfilment centre operations report
- "Hyphenate as 'pick-and-pack' when used as a modifier: 'pick-and-pack facility'." — Editorial style note