A multi-objective model for order cartonization and fulfillment center assignment in the e-tail/retail industry

In this study, two decoupled and integrated integer programming models for joint order cartonization and FC assignment in the retail industry are proposed. Moreover, a multi-objective genetic algorithm (GA) with a NSGA-II selection operator is introduced. The results of applying integrated and decoupled models, along with the proposed GA to the problem, show the efficiency of the proposed decoupled model and the ability of the proposed GA in exploring the tradeoff between cost and time of the fulfillment process. Moreover, it is observed that integrating cartonization into order fulfilment improves overall shipping cost and time.