The Role of the Store in Omnichannel Retail Operations

Digitization forces the retail industry to develop new and innovative business models for their customers. Omnichannel (OC) retail integrates different sales channels and enables a seamless shopping experience. Many OC concepts place the traditional store in the center of retail operations and enhance its role with new responsibilities. This thesis assesses different store-related planning problems related to OC business models. It applies operations research methods to evaluate each planning problem and derives managerial insights as well as further research opportunities.