Importance of Warehousing in the Development of Trade and Commerce

Warehousing or storage refers to theholding and preservation of goods until they are dispatched to the consumers. Generally, there is a time gap between the production and consumption of products. By bridging this gap, storage creates time utility.There is need for storing the goods so as to make them available to buyers as and when required. Some amount of goods is stored at every stage in the marketing process. Proper and adequate arrangements to retail the goods in perfect condition are essential for success inmarketing. Storage enables a firm tocarry on production in anticipation ofdemand in future.A warehouse is a place used for the storage or accumulation of goods. It may also be defined as an establishment that assumes responsibility for the safe custody of goods. Warehouses enable the businessmen to carry on production throughout the year and to sell their products, whenever there is adequate demand.Need for warehouse arises also because some goods are produced only in a particular season but are demanded throughout the year. Similarly certain products are produced throughout the year but demanded only during a particular season. Warehousing facilitates production and distribution on a large scale.Benefits from Warehouses: 1.Regular production: Raw materials need to be stored to enable mass production to be carried on continuously. Sometimes,goods are stored in anticipation of a rise in prices. Warehouses enable manufacturers to produce goods in anticipation of demand in future. 2.Time utility: A warehouse creates time utility by bringing the time gap between the production and consumption of goods. It helps in making available the goods whenever required or demanded by the customers.Some goods are produced throughout the year but demanded only during particular seasons, e.g., wool, raincoat, umbrella, heater, etc.on the other hand, some products are demanded throughout the year but they are produced in certain region, e.g., wheat, rice, potatoes, etc. Goods like rice, tobacco, liquor and jaggery become more valuable with the passage of time. 3.Store of surplus goods: Basically, a warehouse acts as a store of surplus goods which are not needed immediately. Goods are often produced in anticipation of demand and need to be preserved properly until they are demanded bythe customers. Goods which are not required immediately can be stored in a warehouse to meet the demand in future. 4.Price stabilization: Warehouses reduce violent fluctuations in prices by storing goods when their supply exceeds demand and by releasing them when the demand is more than immediate productions. Warehousesensure a regular supply of goods in the market. This matching of supply with demand helps to stabilise prices. 5.Minimisation of risk: Warehouses provide for the safe custody of goods. Perishable products can be preserved in cold storage. By keeping their goods in warehouses, businessmen can minimise the loss from damage, fire,theft etc. The goods kept in the warehouse are generally insured. In case of loss or damage to the goods,the owner of goods can get full compensation from the insurance company. 6.Packing and grading: Certain products have to be conditioned or processed to make them fit for human use, e.g., coffee, tobacco, etc. A modern warehouse provides facilities for processing, packing, blending, grading etc., of the goods for the purpose of sale. The prospective buyers can inspect the goods kept in a warehouse. 7.Financing: Warehouses provide a receipt to the owner of goods for the goods kept inthe warehouse. The owner can borrow money against the security of goods by making an endorsementon the warehouse receipt. In some countries, warehouse authorities advance money against the goods deposited in the warehouse. By keeping the imported goods in a bonded warehouse, a businessman can pay customs duty in installments.