Butikslager

Butikslager is a storage space used by retailers to house goods that form part of the store's assortment. The term refers to stock kept close to sales activities, either inside the shop, behind the sales area, or in a nearby facility belonging to the same retailer. The butikslager functions as a buffer between purchasing and selling, supporting replenishment, returns processing, and in some cases micro-fulfillment for online orders or click-and-collect services.

In practice, a butikslager may vary in size from a small backroom to a dedicated warehouse serving a single store or multiple stores in a retail chain. It enables rapid restocking to the sales floor and helps manage peak periods and promotional campaigns when demand is high. In omnichannel retail, the concept is closely linked to store-based fulfillment, where the store acts as a local distribution point for online orders.

Management of a butikslager involves inventory control systems, shelf-ready packaging, labeling, stock rotation (FIFO for fast-moving goods), and regular cycle counts to maintain accuracy. Security and safety are important because the stock is often within public retail space or in accessible backrooms.

Relation to other terms: A butikslager is distinguished from a central warehouse or distribution center; it is built to serve a specific store or group of stores and is located closer to the point of sale. Modern retailers may combine showroom, stock, and fulfillment areas in one space, sometimes referred to as micro-fulfillment or in-store fulfillment.

Etymology: The word is Swedish, combining butik (shop) and lager (warehouse).