UNITED KINGDOM / AGILITYPR.NEWS / December 29, 2025 / Pallet Truck Shop, the UK’s largest supplier of pallet and sack trucks, is drawing attention to the rapid growth of temporary warehousing and pop-up distribution sites across the UK, as retailers and logistics operators seek greater flexibility in response to volatile demand and changing consumer behaviour.

Short-term warehouse space is increasingly being used to manage seasonal peaks, support online sales surges, or provide overflow capacity during store refits and network reconfigurations. From vacant retail units repurposed as fulfilment hubs to short-let industrial space brought online at short notice, these sites are playing a growing role in keeping goods moving.

However, Pallet Truck Shop warns that many operators underestimate the importance of choosing the right handling equipment for these environments. Unlike permanent distribution centres, temporary warehouses rarely justify heavy investment in complex automation or fixed infrastructure. Set-up times are tight, layouts often change, and teams may be unfamiliar with the site.

In these conditions, robust, low-maintenance manual handling equipment - such as  pallet trucks, stackers and table trucks - becomes essential. Phil Chesworth, Managing Director of Pallet Truck Shop, said that simplicity and reliability are key when operations are temporary. 

“Pop-up warehouses don’t have the luxury of long commissioning periods or specialist engineers on standby,” he explained. “Operators need equipment that works straight out of the box, requires minimal training, and can cope with constant movement and layout changes. A dependable pallet truck can be far more valuable in these settings than a complex system that isn’t designed for short-term use.”

Temporary sites often rely on mixed or rotating workforces, increasing the need for intuitive equipment that reduces the risk of errors or accidents.

“When teams are brought in quickly, familiarity matters,” Chesworth added. “Manual handling equipment that’s easy to use helps people work safely and efficiently from day one, without extensive induction or technical support.”

The company also noted the cost advantages. Manual handling equipment can be redeployed easily across multiple sites, stored when not in use, and scaled up or down in line with demand. This flexibility makes it particularly well suited to a market where warehouse space itself is becoming more fluid.

Pallet Truck Shop believes temporary warehousing will remain a permanent feature of the logistics landscape - and that choosing simple, resilient handling equipment is key to ensure these short-term operations deliver long-term value.

To find out more about Pallet Truck Shop, visit: www.pallettruckshop.co.uk.