Minimizing Repetitive Picks in Multiwave Distribution: A Case Study at Lojas Renner

This study addresses the multiwave planning problem of reducing repeated stock-keeping units (SKUs) in omnichannel retail. It is motivated by high operational costs and inefficiencies caused by recurring SKU picks across different waves. Traditional approaches typically do not focus on limiting SKU overlaps across different waves, which can lead to excessive labor demands and delayed fulfillment. An exact model is proposed to partition boxes into homogeneous, capacity-constrained waves while minimizing the repetition of the SKUs. Empirical results from real instances at Lojas Renner S.A. reveal a notable drop in SKU overlap compared to existing operations, with all capacity requirements met. The findings indicate that systematic wave planning reduces redundant picking tasks and improves throughput, delivering measurable gains for large‐scale fashion distribution centers.