Developing an Efficient Model for Online Grocery Order Fulfillment

Moaad Abdulaziz Alrasheed (), Ateekh Ur Rehman and Ibrahim M. Alharkan
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Moaad Abdulaziz Alrasheed: Department of Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia
Ateekh Ur Rehman: Department of Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia
Ibrahim M. Alharkan: Department of Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 10, 1-24

Abstract: Due to the convenience of online grocery apps and home delivery, online grocery shopping has become popular in recent years. Globally, consumer behavior has significantly changed the consumption and purchase patterns of online grocery shopping. This study aimed to develop an efficient model for online grocery order fulfillment that both reduces costs and increases supply chain efficiency and sustainability. This study first aimed to develop the current picking model by adopting real-world data from a store in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Subsequently, four proposed models were developed to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the online grocery order fulfillment process. The results show a significant improvement in all models over the current picking model. The percentage improvements in fulfillment time per product are as follows: single order picking—8.33%; batch order picking—6.78%; zone order picking—3.08%; and hybrid order picking—13.20%, which combines zone and batch order picking. Retailers and online grocery apps could adopt these models to increase efficiency and sustainability. Also, these models have great potential for future research and improvement by optimizing product placement, in addition to picking methods and picking routes, which are the focus of this study.

Keywords: e-commerce; online grocery shopping; optimization; simulation; routing; order fulfillment; order picking models; logistics and supply chain; sustainable development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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