Winkelnaarwinkel

Winkelnaarwinkel, literally "store to store" in Dutch, is a term used in retail logistics and store operations to describe the transfer of goods directly between stores within the same retailer or retail group. The practice supports stock balancing, store-led fulfillment, and the rapid redeployment of inventory to where customer demand is strongest. Transfers are typically initiated when a store experiences a stockout of a popular item or when excess stock accumulates in one location that would be better utilized elsewhere.

Operationally, winkelnaarwinkel relies on inventory visibility across the network, transfer orders, and standardized processes for picking, packing, and shipping between stores. Modern implementations are often supported by store management systems and centralized inventory management, and are sometimes integrated with e-commerce platforms so that online orders can be fulfilled from a nearby store rather than a central warehouse.

Benefits include higher product availability, reduced markdowns, improved customer service, and potentially lower transport emissions due to shorter routes. It also enables faster fulfillment for store pickup or local delivery from stores.

Challenges include the complexity of coordinating transfers, lead times, costs of handling and transportation, accuracy issues in stock counts, and potential shrinkage or misallocation. Effective governance requires clear procedures for authorization, transfer pricing, and returns to suppliers or reverse logistics if items do not sell.

Winkelnaarwinkel is a term primarily used in Dutch-language retail discourse and may vary in scope across retailers. Related concepts include interstore transfer, inventory management, and omnichannel fulfillment.