To easily perform the change of rack constitution and the exchange of merchandise by providing an article storage rack specified by a rack line number and a handle specified by an article storage rack and designating storage through an article position designating means based on a rack position number including the rack line number and the handle number.

A storage means 14 is provided with article storage racks 15 and 16 equipped with plural rack lines specified by rack line numbers while respectively storing articles corresponding to article numbers. A tray is provided with the handle specified by each designated handle number for taking out the merchandise stored at the predetermined position. The article position designating means is provided with a rack position number generating means for generating a rack position number from the inputted merchandise number and a relative address generating means for generating a block No and a relative rack line No from the rack position number and composed of a 1st computer 12 for control. The article position designating means designates the storage based on the rack position number including the rack line number and the handle number.