Varedepot

Varedepot is a term used in Danish and Norwegian (and understood in other Scandinavian languages) for a facility where goods are stored and managed as part of a supplier's or retailer's supply chain. It functions similarly to a warehouse or distribution center in English, providing space for storage, inventory control, order fulfillment, and shipping. In everyday usage a varedepot may be owned by a single company (private warehousing) or offered as a service by third-party logistics providers (public warehousing).

Common types include cold storage varedepots for perishable goods; bonded or customs warehouses for duty- and tax-deferred storage; and cross-dock facilities that streamline inbound and outbound flows with minimal storage time. Modern varedepots use inventory management systems, barcoding or RFID, and automation such as conveyor lines, automated storage and retrieval systems, and warehouse management software (WMS). They support activities such as receiving, put-away, picking, packing, and shipping, and may include value-added services such as labeling, packaging, or quality inspection. Location, capacity, handling equipment, and service levels influence cost and efficiency for retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers, and e-commerce firms.

Regulatory and economic aspects vary by jurisdiction. In many markets, varedepots operate under national and EU/EEA rules for safety, labor, and environmental standards, and bonded warehouses may offer postponement of duties and VAT. Digitalization and rising e-commerce have driven increased demand for scalable, flexible warehousing, and trends include automation, multi-client facilities, and integration with transport networks to enable faster delivery.