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Data-driven simulation modeling of the checkout process in supermarkets: Insights for decision support in retail operations

Author

Listed:
  • Tomasz Antczak
  • Rafal Weron
  • Jacek Zabawa

Abstract

We build a realistic agent-based model for simulating customer decisions of picking lines in supermarkets. The model is calibrated to actual point of sale (POS) data from three supermarkets of one of major European retail chains and is implemented in the open-access NetLogo simulation platform. The model can provide insights as to the impact of individual customer decisions of picking lines on the overall efficiency of the checkout process. In particular, we show that when customers pick a line by minimizing the expected waiting time, not only is this choice beneficial for the customers themselves, as it leads to shorter waiting times in queues, but also for the supermarket management, since it yields shorter working times of the cashiers.

Suggested Citation

  • Tomasz Antczak & Rafal Weron & Jacek Zabawa, 2020. "Data-driven simulation modeling of the checkout process in supermarkets: Insights for decision support in retail operations," WORking papers in Management Science (WORMS) WORMS/20/16, Department of Operations Research and Business Intelligence, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology.
    • Handle: RePEc:ahh:wpaper:worms2016
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    File URL: https://worms.pwr.edu.pl/RePEc/ahh/wpaper/WORMS_20_16.pdf
    File Function: Original version, 2020
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Paul M. Torrens, 2023. "Agent models of customer journeys on retail high streets," Journal of Economic Interaction and Coordination, Springer;Society for Economic Science with Heterogeneous Interacting Agents, vol. 18(1), pages 87-128, January.
    2. Tomasz Antczak & Bartosz Skorupa & Mikolaj Szurlej & Rafal Weron & Jacek Zabawa, 2021. "Simulation modeling of epidemic risk in supermarkets: Investigating the impact of social distancing and checkout zone design," WORking papers in Management Science (WORMS) WORMS/21/05, Department of Operations Research and Business Intelligence, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology.
    3. Yong Li & Yu Sun & Chengcheng Zeng & Jinxing Li & Yanping Gao & Haisheng Li, 2022. "Research on the Influencing Factors for the Use of Green Building Materials through the Number Growth of Construction Enterprises Based on Agent-Based Modeling," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-13, October.
    4. Njomane, Linda & Telukdarie, Arnesh, 2022. "Impact of COVID-19 food supply chain: Comparing the use of IoT in three South African supermarkets," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Retail operations; Customer analytics; Decision support; Checkout process; Queue management system; Agent-based simulation; NetLogo;
    All these keywords.

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