Scaling Retail Fulfillment: WMS Enablement for SoHa Living
About the Organization
SoHa Living is a specialty lifestyle retailer offering island-inspired home décor, gifts, and private-label home fragrance products. The company operates a network of brick-and-mortar retail stores supported by a centralized distribution center and an in-house production facility.
Its operating model integrates inventory management (Cin7), retail POS (Shopify), overseas sourcing, domestic vendor pass-through distribution, and internal manufacturing — creating a multi-node supply chain with growing operational complexity.
BUSINESS CASE
With 19 store locations and two warehouse facilities (a distribution center and a production warehouse), the organization reached a scale where manual warehouse processes were no longer sustainable.
Key operational challenges included:
- Manual picking without a formal WMS
- Weekly MRP-driven allocations managed via spreadsheets
- High administrative effort to create individual transfers
- Mixed inventory profiles (bulky décor, small SKUs, manufactured goods, store supplies)
- Continuous reshuffling of goods to maintain picking efficiency
- Partial barcode adoption
- Upcoming warehouse expansion requiring layout redesign
OPPORTUNITY
The implementation of Cin7 WMS presented an opportunity to:
- Redesign warehouse layout using structured zoning
- Standardize put-away and storage logic
- Implement scan-based accuracy controls
- Optimize MRP batch picking
- Reduce transfer handling effort
- Prepare infrastructure for future retail growth
This initiative was positioned as an operational transformation, not just a software deployment.
The business required a scalable, system-enabled warehouse model to improve speed, accuracy, and operational control.
SOLUTION
A structured warehouse transformation was implemented across layout, process, and technology.
1. Layout & Zoning Optimization
The distribution center was reorganized into defined zones based on SKU velocity and size. Fast-moving items were placed in accessible pick zones, bulky décor in palletized areas, and slow movers in mezzanine storage. Dedicated receiving, staging, and consolidation areas were established to streamline flow.
2. Standardized Storage Strategy
Storage methods were aligned with product characteristics:
- Small SKUs stored in labeled bins
- Medium décor on adjustable shelving
- Bulk and oversized items on pallet racks or open shelving
- Reserve stock in structured mezzanine locations
Consistent location naming conventions were introduced to support WMS logic.
3. Barcode & Scanning Design
A phased barcode rollout enabled scan-based validation for:
- Receiving
- Put-away
- Picking
- Transfer confirmation
Handheld RF scanners and label printers were deployed to support real-time inventory visibility and reduce errors.
4. WMS-Driven Put-Away & Picking (Fulfillment Design)
System-directed put-away replaced memory-based placement, with location suggestions and scan confirmation.
For fulfillment:
- Batch picking for weekly MRP replenishment to reduce travel time
- Individual picking was retained for urgent or vendor pass-through transfers
- Consolidation and master transfer creation were system-supported
This hybrid approach balanced speed and operational control.
RESULTS
The transformational design delivered measurable operational improvements:
- Increased picking accuracy through scan validation
- Reduced travel time via zone-based batch picking
- Improved warehouse space utilization
- Lower administrative effort in transfer creation
- Reduced dependency on manual knowledge
- Faster and more reliable store replenishment
- Scalable infrastructure to support warehouse expansion
The organization transitioned from a manually coordinated warehouse to a structured, data-driven fulfillment environment capable of supporting continued retail growth and SKU complexity.
