Back-of-House & Receiving Carts: A Retail Buyer's Guide

Back-of-house carts move product from the receiving dock through the stockroom to the sales floor. The main types are receiving and staging carts, stockroom and top-stock carts, U-boat (stocking) carts, and platform or flatbed carts. The right choice depends on load type, aisle width, and whether you need nesting to save backroom space. Cart Source builds custom back-of-house and distribution carts for your backroom.

The main back-of-house cart types

Stocking (U-boat) carts move and merchandise stock through aisles. Receiving and platform carts handle dock-to-floor moves of cases and bulk. Top-stock and shelf carts support restocking and order consolidation, and nesting carts stack to save floor space when not in use.

How to choose

Use nesting shelf carts where backroom space is tight, flatbeds for long or heavy loads, and tall shelf carts for consolidation. Match caster type to your floors and aisle width. Cart Source customizes shelves, dimensions, casters, and bumpers to your process.

Frequently asked questions

What is a back-of-house cart? A cart used in the receiving area and stockroom to move product to the sales floor - including receiving, stocking (U-boat), top-stock, and platform carts.

What is a U-boat cart? A double-sided stocking cart used to move and merchandise stock through retail aisles.

Can back-of-house carts be customized? Yes - Cart Source builds back-of-house and distribution carts to spec (shelves, size, casters) and supplies retailers worldwide. Request a quote.