Shelving is generally made from standard modular components that allow installations of different heights, vertical shelf spacing and shelf depths. The typical standard span width is 1 metre, but long span shelving is also available that facilitates the holding of longer items of stock. Subdividers can be used to provide even smaller locations where this is appropriate for the inventory being held.

Shelving can be accessed in various ways - from ground-floor level, from mezzanine levels or from fixed-path or free-path lifting equipment such as narrow-aisle picking trucks and picking cranes. A variant on this concept is cantilever shelving, which is supported from the back and sides, and gives completely clear access from the front and hence flexibility for holding items of different lengths.

This is suitable for light and medium duty work. Mostly used as shelving, adjustable units can be assembled rapidly and adapted to change and expansion. Each shelf can be adjusted independently; used efficiently, this allows the storage space to be used to the full. Most adjustable shelving can be altered without tools. Many companies buy adjustable racking and never use this potential; the additional investment must be justified