UNDERSTANDING THE GOODS-TO-PERSON SOLUTIONS SECTOR WITH STIQ’S 2026 MARKET INSIGHTS REPORT

Published 6^th July 2026

STIQ is proud to present our 8^th annual Goods-to-person (G2P) report which features objective insights into the trends shaping the G2P and Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS) market. This report aims to provide guidance to technology vendors, logistics executives, 3PL providers, and procurement directors looking to navigate the ever-increasing complexity of implementing technology in uncertain macroeconomic conditions. We provide an explanation of the G2P market, and rich insight from leading experts from across the technology, integrator, and customer ecosystem.

STIQ is a leading publisher of freemium market research on warehouse automation and supply chain technology. We provide objective, in-depth research based on interviews with 50 leading companies across the technology ecosystem. All our reports are free to download directly from our website.

Below is a summary of the full report, which can be downloaded free of charge courtesy of Exotec here: STIQ G2P Solutions 2026 market report.

If you want to discuss the report further, please message adam@stiq.ltd for a complimentary debrief.

What are G2P solutions? What are the different options?

G2P solutions are warehouse automation systems that help improve how products are stored and retrieved, often utilizing technology that delivers inventory to a stationary picker rather than manual picking which takes place where the product is stored.

G2P solutions cover over 50% of typical warehouse activity costs, with fulfilment activities including put-away, storing, and picking.

This diagram below explains the range of different robotic solutions currently on the market, breaking down how and why to select a different system. Dimensions include maximum height (dictating density), robot payload (up to 30kg typically), movement of the robot (horizontal and vertical) and types of storage media (dictating what can be stored in the system). Some systems will incorporate on-floor Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), whilst others utilise shuttles. 

Goods-to-Person explainer- how to understand the G2P solutions matrix

This diagram explains the range of different robotic solutions currently on the market, breaking down how and why to select a different system. Dimensions include maximum height (dictating density), robot payload (up to 30kg typically), movement of the robot (horizontal and vertical) and types of storage media (dictating what can be stored in the system). Some systems will incorporate on-floor Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), whilst others utilise shuttles.

The G2P and ASRS market is maturing across all these different solution types, although innovation is still happening. Software is typically a critical differentiator for systems, which are often resold as part of larger integrations or by verified distributors.

More detail can be found page 3-9 here: STIQ G2P Solutions 2026 market report, or contact adam@stiq.ltd to set up a call to discuss further.

Market Sentiment- how have 2025 and 2026 been for OEMs and system integrators?

2025 and 2026 were a challenge for the MHE industry as a whole. Uncertainty driven by geopolitics made it difficult for end customers to be confident in their forecasts and business cases over the short and medium terms.

This has had a knock-on effect on automation of warehouses, which historically has required high levels of CAPEX spending.

Highlights of market sentiment findings:

• 2025 saw capital spending freeze as tariff disruption delayed projects and extended processes
• Pipelines of major G2P vendors began to grow, with high levels of RFP activity creating a backlog of demand
• Market sentiment recovered in 2026 (4.3 out of 5 on the STIQ sentiment scoring system), as delayed project began to thaw and customers normalized uncertainty
• Technology OEMs and integrators are expected to be much more consultative to help navigate uncertainty

Structural trends- what are the major trends in the G2P market?

As part of our interviews, we identify and explain the major structural trends within the G2P and ASRS markets.

1.    Hardware commoditization and the future of software differentiation: as the market matures, many hardware platforms are beginning to be commoditized. Increase in system integrator partnerships mean more systems are available from more avenues, which makes software such as Warehouse Execution Systems (WES) critical for differentiation.

2.    Increasing overlap between OEM and Integrator: there is a growing grey area between the OEM of a system, and the integrator, with lots of different business and implementation models for customers to consider. Typically, the higher the complexity, the larger the input of an integrator, but various OEMs are looking to grow into the SI space, and many integrators are looking to win smaller projects. Differentiation is also happening through delivery, with Robots-as-a-service (RAAS) increasingly explored by customers and offered by vendors.

3.    Maintenance an increasing focus: as the market matures, earlier versions of robots are out of maintenance support, leading to obsolescence and risk for customers. Many are choosing to retrofit their systems, creating an opportunity for integrators and OEMs for additional revenue. Companies that help customers deal with smaller projects can help build trust, and stand them in good stead for larger projects.

Customer interviews- what are the challenges and bottlenecks facing customers today?

Also in the report is insight from end customers who have gone through the automation journey. 

These include:
1.    An interview with a former procurement director, with experience at GXO and Amazon. He walks us through the project preparation process, and identifies hidden bottlenecks that don’t show up in RFPs
2.    An anonymous discussion with a software director, who discusses the importance of Warehouse Execution Systems (WES), and how flexible automation is essential moving forward
3.    A discussion with a 3PL consultant, who runs us through the challenges facing 3PLs when it comes to automation

These interviews are on pages 44-57 here: STIQ G2P Solutions 2026 market report.

Also in the report: 
-    Rich qualitative  insight from 50+ interviews with leading market G2P experts
-    Deep insight into what the future looks like for the G2P market
-    The impact of Chinese competition and retailers on the G2P and ASRS market
-    An analysis of the trend of mixed payloads
-    IPO analysis of a recent market listing
-    A full directory of leading technology vendors

Message adam@stiq.ltd to discuss the report further.

Follow STIQ for more high quality content here. 

FAQs

Question: What are goods-to-person systems?
Answer: A G2P system is an automated fulfilment model that typically transports products and goods to a stationary picker, inverting the traditional picking model of the person moving to where goods are stored

Question: What’s the difference between a G2P solution and an ASRS solution?
Answer: ASRS stands for automated storage and retrieval system, and is a subset of the broader G2P category. Typically, an ASRS solution uses high density racking or grids to store the product, and delivers these to pickers when required using a variety of technologies including shuttles or robots

Question: How are G2P solutions typically installed?
Answer: There are a range of different delivery models, with more complex solutions typically delivered by system integrator, whilst simpler ones may be direct with an OEM. Your geography will often influence the delivery model, with accredited resellers of some systems used for certain geographies.

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