cross-docking

Syllable breakdown

Dictionary meaning

a logistics strategy in which inbound goods arriving at a distribution center or warehouse are immediately transferred to outbound vehicles with minimal or no storage time; reduces inventory holding costs, speeds delivery, and eliminates the pick-and-store-retrieve cycle; requires precise scheduling and carrier coordination; widely used by Walmart, Amazon, and large grocery chains

Examples

• Cross-docking allowed the retailer to get fresh produce from farm to store shelf in under 24 hours.
• The distribution center's cross-docking operation required trucks to arrive within 15-minute windows.

Synonyms: cross docking, flow-through distribution