The present invention provides systems and methods of consolidating,
shipping and distributing items comprising multiple orders to multiple
customers. The orders are received by an inventory management service,
filled and packaged at a centralized distribution center in fewer
containers than there are orders. For instance, if there are N orders
destined for a particular authorized outlet, then the N orders will be
consolidated and shipped in at most N-1, or fewer, containers. However,
each order is individually packaged, controlled, tracked and received as
an individual order. The consolidated containers are shipped to an
authorized outlet and the individual orders are distributed to the
customers. Also provided are systems and methods for returning orders
that are not picked up at the authorized outlet to a central location.
The items may be, for example, service parts, wireless communication
devices, etc. Warehousing, shipping and transportation costs are reduced
by this invention.