Retail involves much more than moving products. Staff may need to unload deliveries, replenish shelves, transport pallets, move cartons, access high-level stock and handle bulky products throughout the day.
Choosing suitable equipment can make these tasks more efficient while helping businesses manage manual handling risks. The best product is not necessarily the biggest, strongest or most expensive. The right choice depends on what you are moving, its weight and dimensions, how far it needs to travel, the available space and how frequently it will be used.
With more than 140 years of experience, PARRS supplies professional material handling, access, lifting and workplace equipment to businesses across the UK. This guide covers essential equipment for retail environments and explains what to consider before buying.
1. PARRS Kick Steps – Quick Access to Retail Shelves
For everyday access to lower and medium-height shelving, a kick step can be more practical than a full-size ladder. Its compact design makes it easy to move around shop floors, aisles and stockrooms.
PARRS supplies steel and plastic kick steps. The PARRS plastic Kick Step is UK-manufactured, fully assembled and backed by a lifetime guarantee. It is certified to EN 14183:2003 and is the only plastic kick step certified to this standard.
It has also been specified by Health and Safety Managers at major UK retailers including Tesco, Asda, Boots, Halfords, Pavers and Next.
Spring-loaded castors allow the kick step to move easily when unoccupied and retract when weight is applied, helping provide a stable base during use.
Best choice for: Quick access to shelves, displays, stockrooms and POS areas where space is limited.
Before buying: Check certification, standing height, construction and maximum safe working load.
2. Aluminium Step Ladders – Greater Reach Without Heavy Equipment
When shelving or displays are beyond the comfortable reach of a kick step, an aluminium step ladder provides greater access while remaining relatively lightweight.
They are commonly used for stock replenishment, visual merchandising, signage, display installation and maintenance.
PARRS supplies professional aluminium step ladders from DRABEST, WERNER and CLIMB-IT, with different heights and configurations.
Best choice for: Regular access to higher shelving, displays and storage areas.
Before buying: Consider working height, safe working load, tread design, stability, folded dimensions and relevant certification, rather than simply the number of steps.
3. Domed Feet Mobile Steps – Stability for Frequent Shelf Access
Domed feet mobile steps are designed for frequent access to shelving, displays and high-level stock where mobility and stability are important.
Their spring-loaded castors retract when weight is applied, transferring the load onto rubber domed feet to provide a stable base during use.
PARRS offers 2–5 tread models from CLIMB-IT and REDHILL, with ribbed rubber, punched steel and anti-slip tread options. Selected models include handrails and guardrails.
Selected REDHILL models are BSI Kitemarked to BS EN 131-7 and have a 150kg maximum safe working load.
Best choice for: Supermarkets, narrow-aisle stockrooms, fulfilment areas, cash-and-carry stores and retail back offices.
Before buying: Compare tread height, surface, safe working load and dimensions, and decide whether additional handrails, guardrails or anti-slip treads are required.
4. Tray Trolleys – Keep Stock Moving and Organised
Tray trolleys are useful when staff need to move multiple smaller products without carrying them individually. Multiple levels provide separate spaces for stock, making them suitable for replenishment, order picking, returns and click-and-collect operations.
Deep trays can help prevent products from rolling or falling, while compact models can improve manoeuvrability in busy retail areas.
PARRS offers tray trolleys from REDHILL, VARIOFIT, PROPLAZ, APOLLO and STUBBS, with different designs, materials and capacities.
Best choice for: Smaller products that need to be picked, sorted or replenished across several areas.
Before buying: Check tray dimensions, number of levels, overall size and total load capacity.
5. Platform Trolleys – A Flexible Choice for Bulky Stock
Platform trolleys are a versatile option for moving boxes, cartons, equipment, bulky products and irregularly shaped loads around retail environments.
PARRS offers platform trolleys from approximately 150kg to 1,000kg capacity, including folding, mesh-sided, aluminium, wooden, plastic, heavy-duty and powered models.
Open platforms provide easy loading, while sided models help contain goods. Folding handles can save storage space, and braked castors provide additional control when stationary. Non-marking wheels can suit indoor retail floors, while solid rubber or pneumatic wheels may be better for uneven or outdoor surfaces.
Best choice for: Moving cartons, bulky stock and equipment between loading bays, stockrooms and shop floors.
Before buying: Consider capacity, platform dimensions, material, wheel type, brakes and number of sides.
6. Roll Cages – Move High Volumes of Stock Efficiently
For retailers receiving large deliveries, moving individual cartons can be inefficient. Roll cages allow multiple products to be transported together between delivery areas, stockrooms and shop floors.
PARRS supplies 2-, 3- and 4-sided roll pallets, plus A-frame, security, jumbo and specialist picking models.
Nestable models are useful where storage space is limited, while shelved models can separate products. Security cages with mesh sides and lids provide additional containment where required.
Best choice for: Supermarkets, distribution centres, retail warehouses and high-volume replenishment.
Before buying: Consider cage dimensions, capacity, number of sides, shelves, castor configuration and empty-cage storage.
7. Pallet Trucks – Choose the Right Truck for Your Pallets
Pallet trucks are designed to move palletised goods over relatively short distances and are standard equipment in many retail warehouses and delivery areas.
PARRS offers pallet trucks from 1,000kg to 5,000kg, including standard, long-fork, wide, weighing-scale, electric, low-profile, high-lift, rough-terrain and galvanised models.
A weighing-scale pallet truck can weigh goods during movement, which can be useful for goods-in and dispatch. Long-fork models suit longer loads, while low-profile models are designed for pallets with lower-than-standard fork entry heights.
Single rollers can provide good manoeuvrability on smooth floors, while double rollers can offer greater stability with heavier loads or less even surfaces.
Best choice for: Retail warehouses, delivery bays and stockrooms handling palletised goods.
Before buying: Check pallet type, fork dimensions, capacity, lift height, wheel configuration and turning space.
8. Powered Handling Equipment – When Manual Handling Is No Longer Efficient
Manual equipment suits many retail tasks, but heavier loads, longer travel distances, inclines or frequent handling may justify powered equipment.
PARRS supplies electric sack trucks, powered pallet trucks, electric platform trolleys, electric turntable trucks, electric scissor lift tables, electric lifters and stackers.
Best choice for: Larger retail operations, distribution centres and workplaces where heavy loads are moved frequently.
Before buying: Consider load weight, travel distance, gradients, floor conditions, battery requirements, lifting height and frequency of use.
9. Scissor Lift Tables – Reduce Unnecessary Bending
Scissor lift tables raise and lower goods to a more suitable working height, making them useful for loading, unloading, packing, order preparation and repetitive stock handling.
PARRS supplies single and double scissor lift tables in different capacities and configurations. Single-scissor designs may suit general lifting, while double-scissor models provide greater lifting height. Mobile models can combine lifting with movement, depending on the specification.
Best choice for: Goods-in areas, stockrooms, packing stations and repetitive handling tasks.
Before buying: Check maximum capacity, platform dimensions, lowest and highest working height, and whether mobility is required.
10. Lifters and Stackers – Make Better Use of Vertical Storage
Where palletised goods are stored above floor level, a pallet truck may not provide enough lifting height. Lifters and stackers are designed to raise, position and stack palletised loads, helping retailers use vertical storage space more effectively.
PARRS offers manual, semi-electric and fully electric lifters and stackers, including models with lifting heights of up to 3,000mm.
Manual models can suit lighter-duty applications, while powered versions can reduce operator effort where loads are heavier or handling is frequent.
Best choice for: Supermarket backrooms, retail warehouses, delivery bays and high-level pallet storage.
Before buying: Check capacity at the required lifting height, as well as pallet dimensions, aisle width and machine dimensions.
11. Board and Panel Trolleys – For Large, Awkward Materials
Retailers selling DIY, building or home improvement products often need to move large flat materials that are difficult to handle because of their size.
Board and panel trolleys are designed for plasterboard, plywood, MDF, doors, worktops, flooring, glass and other sheet materials.
PARRS offers models from 150kg to 1,000kg capacity, including compact, heavy-duty, extra-wide, extra-long and adjustable-support designs.
Depending on the model, features include vertical support frames, adjustable support bars, low loading platforms, braked castors and pneumatic or puncture-proof wheels.
Best choice for: DIY stores, builders’ merchants, furniture retailers, flooring suppliers and garden centres.
Before buying: Check the length, width, thickness and weight of the materials you intend to move.
12. Sack Trucks – Compact Handling for Deliveries
Sack trucks provide a compact way to move boxes, cartons, appliances and other bulky loads through stockrooms, doorways, delivery areas and confined spaces. The right design depends on the type of goods being handled and the conditions in which the truck will be used.
PARRS supplies sack trucks from EXPRESSO, COSCO, CENTAUR, RAVENDO, REDHILL, VARIOFIT and ARMORGARD, including heavy-duty, folding, convertible, electric, stair-climbing and specialist models.
For specific retail applications, the range includes stair-climbing sack trucks for moving loads up and down steps, chair-carrying models for transporting chairs, gas bottle trolleys and drum-handling trucks for specialist loads. Convertible sack trucks can offer greater versatility, with selected models transforming between 2-in-1, 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 configurations for different handling tasks.
Best choice for: Retail deliveries, stockrooms, customer collections, appliance handling and specialist loads where a compact, manoeuvrable truck is required.
Before buying: Check the load capacity, toe plate size and options, wheel type and handle configuration. Choose solid rubber tyres for smooth indoor floors, pneumatic tyres for cushioning on uneven surfaces, or puncture-proof tyres where durability and puncture resistance are important.
For more detailed advice on choosing the right sack truck, read our blog post called ‘ PARRS’ Ultimate Guide to Sack Trucks: Expert Tips from PARRS.’
How to Choose the Right Retail Equipment
The right equipment should match the job, load and working environment. Before buying, consider:
- Load: Check weight, dimensions, shape and quantity. Choose an appropriate safe working load (SWL) and sufficient capacity.
- Distance: Manual equipment may suit short movements, while powered solutions can help with heavier loads, longer distances or inclines.
- Height: Match equipment to the required working height, from kick steps and ladders through to lifters and stackers.
- Space: Check aisle widths, doorways, turning areas, ramps, lifts and storage space.
- Wheels: Match wheels to the surface. Non-marking wheels suit many indoor floors, while solid or pneumatic wheels can be better for uneven or outdoor surfaces.
- Configuration: Consider features such as folding handles, sides, shelves, brakes and adjustable supports.
- Durability and maintenance: Choose construction suited to the workload and check the availability of replacement wheels, castors and spare parts.
- Standards: Check relevant certification, product standards and manufacturer guidance.
Safety and Compliance
Handling equipment should form part of a wider safe working process. Retail businesses should consider:
- Appropriate risk assessments.
- Correct safe working loads and load distribution.
- Operator instruction or training where required.
- Pre-use checks, inspections and maintenance in line with manufacturer guidance.
- Applicable UK requirements, including PUWER and, where relevant, LOLER, depending on the equipment and its use.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and stated safe working limits. If the application or legal requirements are unclear, seek competent professional advice.
Why Retailers Choose PARRS
With more than 140 years of industry experience, PARRS supplies access, handling, lifting and workplace equipment from established manufacturers alongside its own products.
What You Can Expect from PARRS
- Long-term guarantees: Many products have a minimum 3-year guarantee, while selected products offer up to 12 years. PARRS plastic kick steps have a lifetime guarantee. Terms vary by product.
- Established brands: Our range includes recognised manufacturers such as EXPRESSO, VARIOFIT, COSCO and RAVENDO, alongside other specialist brands selected for different commercial applications.
- Bespoke solutions: PARRS can help explore bespoke solutions tailored to your application, workspace or handling needs.
- Fast availability: Many stocked products are available for next-day delivery.
- Free UK delivery: Orders over £150 ex VAT.
- Click & Collect: Available for local customers.
- Expert support: The PARRS team can provide guidance to help identify suitable equipment.
Choose Equipment with Confidence
The right retail handling equipment depends on the application, workload, available space and workplace conditions.
Whether you need a kick step for shelf access, a trolley for stock movement, a pallet truck for warehouse operations or powered equipment for demanding tasks, choosing equipment around the actual job is essential.
With 140+ years of industry experience, established brands, a broad product range and practical customer support, PARRS helps retailers find handling solutions suited to their everyday requirements.
Explore the PARRS retail equipment range or contact our team to discuss your requirements.
