Abstract: Systems and methods of identifying potential modifications of a shipping item design are described. In one aspect, a first number of homogeneous copies of the shipping item in a first design state that fit on a specified shipping pallet is identified. One or more modifications of the shipping item's design are computed. The computed modifications transform the first design state into a second design state of the shipping item homogeneous copies of which fit on the specified shipping pallet in a second number greater than the first number.

Abstract: A method and processing system for distributing purchased goods at retail or wholesale outlet stores according to an agreement between a manufacturer of the goods and a retail or wholesale outlet store. In a preferred embodiment, the agreement provides that the retail or wholesale outlet store receive the goods in bulk packaging, warehouse the goods, and package the goods in intimate level protection packaging when the purchaser provides order confirmation information (e.g., a pickup number) acquired via a Website that the purchaser utilized to purchase the product “on line” for in-store pick-up at that particular retail or wholesale outlet store. When this information is provided to the store, an exemplary preferred processing system automatically provides the store with a packing list to assist in the packaging operation and initiates a transfer of funds to an account designated by the store.