Patent Document ID: 7912748
Application ID: 11421529
Patent Flag: 1

Claim One:
1. A computer-implemented method of markdown schedule optimization comprising: identifying a measurable markdown objective; identifying a scheduling group including at least one product and at least one store; calculating allocation of inventory from a distribution center to a store in the scheduling group; determining a schedule of price reductions for the scheduling group, the schedule of price reductions indicating degrees and times of reductions in price in the scheduling group, wherein the determining of the schedule of price reductions is performed using a processor of a computer and further comprises: selecting a permissible markdown price step from a group of permissible price steps; providing a convergence criterion with respect to the measurable markdown objective; defining a first subspace of permissible markdown times for implementing the permissible markdown price step; identifying a preferable permissible markdown time for implementing the permissible markdown price step; evaluating a markdown schedule comprising the preferable permissible markdown time and the permissible markdown price step to determine that the convergence criterion is not met; and based on the convergence criterion not being met, defining a second subspace of permissible markdown times for implementing the permissible markdown price step, updating the markdown schedule using the second subspace, and evaluating the updated markdown schedule; calculating forecasts from optimized markdown and model parameters; and outputting results including the updated markdown schedule.