Carton flow rack is a type of storage system that uses gravity to move cartons or boxes from the back loading aisle to the front picking aisle. It offers high-density storage and is particularly useful for fast-moving inventory with a first in, first out (FIFO) inventory management method.

The carton flow rack consists of inclined rollers or wheels that are set at a slight angle. This allows the cartons placed at the back of the rack to naturally glide forward towards the front of the rack due to gravity.

Cartons are loaded from the back of the rack, typically using a conveyor system . As one carton is removed from the front picking aisle, the next carton in line automatically moves into the picking position. This automated process streamlines the picking process and increases efficiency as workers don't have to manually move the cartons.

Since the cartons are loaded from the back and automatically move towards the front, the system naturally follows the FIFO principle. This means that the first carton loaded will be the first one to be picked, ensuring that older inventory is used first and reducing the risk of product expiration or obsolescence.