Storing Lamps Between Seasons Without Damaging Them

Unsold lighting sits in a warehouse from one season to the next. Damage that occurs during storage is rarely recorded as damage, which is why it shows up later as a defect claim the supplier cannot explain.

The four storage risks

In a typical US warehouse, lamps are exposed to four conditions that cause most of the loss:

• Stack pressure, which deforms shade frames and crushes end panels over months
• Humidity, which attacks plating, adhesives and paper packaging
• Sunlight through a high window, which fades printed cartons and some shades
• Handling with a forklift, which damages the bottom layer of every pallet

Stack height is a specification

The safe stack height is decided by the compression strength of the carton, not by the height of the rack. Above the tested height, the bottom pallet deforms slowly and the damage is discovered at pick time, months later.

First in, first out

Decorative finishes age in storage even when they are not damaged. A strict rotation rule means the stock that goes out is the stock that has been in the building longest, and the older cartons are not discovered at the back of the rack in year three.

Inspect before the season, not after

Open one carton from each pallet at the start of the season and record the condition. It takes an hour and it separates storage damage from manufacturing defects while both are still fixable.

Plan the markdown with the storage

Stock held for more than one season should be priced to clear at the start of the next, while the finish is still current. Holding it for a second full year rarely recovers the margin and usually ends in a write-down.