In this article, the minimum slotting cost in distribution centers is modeled, considering multiple SKUs and heterogeneous storage systems. For this, an optimization method, a taboo search metaheuristic and an empirical rule are implemented. As a result of a design of experiments, it is obtained that the slotting list size has a significant effect on the slotting process, and that the optimization method generates a reduction in labor costs compared to the metaheuristic. © 2018.