Cross-docking moves incoming goods through a distribution facility to outbound transport with little or no long-term storage.
How it works in retail
Goods may be sorted and consolidated before onward shipment. Accurate arrival planning and shipment information help coordinate the flow.
A retail example
Products arriving from several suppliers are sorted into store-specific loads and sent onward without being placed into regular warehouse storage.
What to keep in mind
Cross-docking is not the same as drop shipping. The goods pass through a logistics facility even though they may spend little time there.
Examples are illustrative. Terminology and measurement conventions can vary by business and market.