Selection of warehouse storage system using the TOPSIS method

Abstract

Selecting an appropriate warehouse storage system is a complex multi-criteria decision-making problem that directly affects operational efficiency, product quality, and employee safety, particularly in the food industry. This study aims to evaluate alternative warehouse storage systems using the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to the Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), while integrating both technical and human-centred decision criteria. An empirical study was conducted in a food distribution company operating in the FMCG sector. Four warehouse storage systems were evaluated against eight criteria: storage capacity, product accessibility, storage conditions, system flexibility, safety and ergonomics, operating costs, product quality, and product characteristics. The evaluation framework was developed based on a literature review and expert assessments provided by warehouse professionals. The TOPSIS analysis ranked the Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) as the preferred alternative, followed by flow racks, mobile shelving, and traditional shelving. The highest ranking of ASRS resulted primarily from its superior performance in storage capacity, employee safety and ergonomics, and product quality. The analysis also showed that criteria related to safety and ergonomics had a substantial influence on the final ranking. The study demonstrates the applicability of TOPSIS for warehouse storage system selection in the food industry and contributes to the literature by integrating operational and human-centred criteria into a single decision-support framework. The proposed approach provides practitioners with a transparent method for supporting warehouse design and investment decisions.