Where would modern consumer product supply chains be without the standard pallet? The standard footprint allows products to be seamlessly stored, handled, and transported without requiring repalletization as they progress from the production plant to the distribution center to retail. While supply chains lean heavily on the full, standard-sized pallet, there can be opportunities for specialty pallets to unlock extra value. In a previous installment, we talked about quarter pallets. In this article, we introduce the half pallet.
What is a half pallet?
The half pallet, a logistics solution comprising half the footprint of a conventional pallet, is increasingly recognized for enhancing supply chain efficiency. These pallets, along with quarter, one-sixth, and one-eighth pallets, are often called fractional or modular pallets.
In North America, where the standard pallet size is 48×40 inches, typical half pallets measure 40×24 inches or 48×20 inches. These sizes serve different purposes, as we will touch on below. In Europe, the popular 800×1200 mm EUR 1 pallet has a counterpart in the 800×600 mm EPAL 6 and 7 half pallets. These dimensions make half pallets suitable for various applications, particularly in retail and distribution.
Benefits of the Half Pallet
The half pallet offers several attractive benefits, particularly for retail. Consider the following:
Allows for greater use of floor display: Compared to full-sized pallets, twice the number of half pallets can be placed on the sales floor for display. That’s important for retailers looking to boost sales. Display pallets have been found to increase sales by up to 30%. While the 24×20” half pallet is widespread, the 48×20” pallet is used effectively, particularly for end-aisle displays.
One-touch order picking and in-aisle replenishment: Half pallet unit loads can create dramatic labor savings at the distribution center and retail. By ordering a half-pallet quantity, case picking is not required at the warehouse. The half pallet can be brought directly to the loading dock. The half pallet can be placed directly in the aisle at the store, eliminating the need for shelf-stocking labor. And because restocking is as simple as removing the empty half pallet and bringing the replacement from the back room, in-store out-of-stock items are minimized.
Man-door access, truck fill, damage reduction, and more: Some half pallets can allow entrance into convenience stores or smaller retail outlets that require entrance via a man-door, whereas, with full pallets, goods would have to be restacked onto a stocking cart to enter the store. Half pallets are also used in various industries to utilize floor space in trailers where there isn’t room for a full pallet position or for some equipment or machinery that only requires a half pallet.
Other considerations
There are additional things to think about. Half pallets can be either stringer pallet or block style. Block pallets are increasingly preferred due to full four-way access, allowing for flexibility for positioning in the warehouse, truck, and store. Pallet quality is also critical in retail settings, from aesthetics and public safety perspectives. Promptly remove empty display pallets from the sales floor and follow your store’s safety policy.
Another consideration is the challenge of handling an additional pallet size. While it increases complexity, it can be effectively stacked and returned with regular pallets because it is fractional.
Whether you are looking to boost retail sales, reduce picking and stocking labor, move palletized products through man-doors, or meet the needs of loads that only require a smaller pallet, the half pallet might be the answer. PalletOne’s national sales team can help you explore the opportunity and welcomes your call.
