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Ara Distribution runs freight receiving, pallet storage, pick-and-pack workflows, and route planning for retail and e-commerce businesses across South Africa. We keep inventory visible in real time and get orders to the right door on schedule.
We run cycle counts on a rotating schedule and keep a live stock ledger inside the warehouse management system. Every pallet move, pick, and return is scanned at the moment it happens, so the numbers on screen match what is actually on the floor. For retailers with multiple regional sites, we sync the same ledger across all locations, which cuts down the guesswork during stock takes and order checks.
Orders received before the daily cutoff are picked, packed, and handed to the delivery team the same evening. For consolidated routes, we group nearby stops so the van spends less time between drops and more time at the door. Standard delivery windows run from 08:00 to 17:00 on weekdays, and we share a live tracking link so your customer knows when the driver is close.
Yes. We operate a dedicated temperature-controlled zone for chilled and frozen goods, with separate racking and its own temperature log. The zone is monitored around the clock, and any deviation triggers an alert to the shift supervisor. If your product needs a cold chain from receiving to the final drop, we can document the temperature history for each pallet.
You get a login to the warehouse management system, where you can see stock levels, inbound and outbound movements, and order status in real time. Reports can be exported daily or weekly, depending on what your finance or operations team needs. We also send a summary at the end of each month so you have a clear record of what moved through the facility.
We charge per pallet position per month, plus a handling fee for each inbound and outbound unit. The rate depends on the storage type, the volume you commit to, and whether you need value-added services like kitting or labelling. After a short walkthrough of your product flow, we send a fixed quote with no hidden line items.
Start with a call or a message through the contact page. We will ask about your order volumes, product dimensions, delivery area, and any special handling requirements. From there we arrange a site visit or a virtual walkthrough, then send a proposal with storage layout, picking workflow, and delivery routes. Most businesses are up and running within two to three weeks.
Straight answers about storage, picking, delivery windows, and how we work with your existing retail or e-commerce operation. If your question is not listed here, send it through the contact page and we will reply within one business day.
Feedback from warehouse managers and e-commerce owners who rely on our picking, packing, and delivery teams across South Africa.
We moved from manual counts to the WMS cycle counting Ara set up. Shrinkage dropped noticeably and our pick errors went down. The team trained our staff on site, so we did not lose a day of operations.
Judith Potgieter, Operations Lead at a Cape Town apparel retailerRoute planning for our daily e-commerce orders meant fewer half-empty vans leaving the warehouse. Delivery windows tightened and customers stopped calling about late parcels. The reporting each week shows exactly where we save.
Sandile Solomons, E-commerce Manager, JohannesburgOur perishable line needed consistent cold chain handling. Ara's facility kept the temperature logs clean and the cross-dock process for fresh stock is fast. We have not had a spoiled batch since switching over.
Rev. lesego Patel, Director at a Durban food supplierDuring peak months we double our pallet footprint without renegotiating contracts. The team adjusts racking and labour to match our order volume, and the monthly inventory report is clear enough to share with our board.
Warehouse Supervisor, Pretoria home goods brandRegional warehousing with pallet storage and temperature-controlled bays for retail and e-commerce stock that needs to stay within reach of your customers.
Pick-and-pack workflows built around your order profile, so fast-moving SKUs are staged closer to the dispatch dock and slow movers stay out of the way.
Cross-docking for inbound freight that moves straight from receiving to outbound staging, cutting storage time on goods that should not sit still.
Route planning for last-mile delivery that groups stops by area and delivery window, reducing fuel spend and keeping promised slots realistic.
Real-time stock visibility through a practical warehouse management system, with cycle counts and barcode scanning that keep inventory records honest.
Consolidated deliveries for small and medium enterprises, so partial pallets and mixed orders share truck space instead of paying for empty kilometres.
Every service is scoped around your order volume, product mix, and delivery footprint. See how this works in practice on the use cases page or talk through your current setup on the contact page.