Systems and methods for managing an inventory of products purchased by customers from a retailer

A method of managing an inventory of products purchased by a customer from a retailer, the method comprising:

• processing, at an order processing server of the retailer, a purchase order by a customer for a plurality of products, wherein the customer does not take possession of the plurality of products or cause delivery of the plurality of products at the time of the purchase order;
• generating, via the order processing server, a graphical interface configured to permit the customer to select at least one storage location of the retailer for storing the plurality of products being purchased by the customer, duration of storage of the plurality of products being purchased by the customer at the selected at least one storage location of the retailer, and storage conditions for storing the plurality of products being purchased by the customer at the selected at least one storage location of the retailer;
• displaying, via the order processing server and in the graphical interface, a price for the plurality of products based on the at least one storage location, duration of storage, and storage conditions selected by the customer;
• marking, in an inventory management database of the retailer, the plurality of products as being purchased by the customer at the price generated via the order processing server, the plurality of products marked as being purchased by the customer being stored at the at least one storage location of the retailer selected by the customer, for the storage duration selected by the customer, and at the storage conditions selected by the customer until subsequent delivery to the customer or pickup by the customer;
• storing, in the inventory management database, electronic data indicating a real-time inventory of all storage space at the at least one storage location and electronic data representing a real-time listing of all available storage space at the at least one storage location;
• providing an electronic inventory management device including a programmable processor;
• prior to the order processing server permitting the customer to select the at least one storage location of the retailer for storing the plurality of products being purchased by the customer and prior to the order processing server displaying the price in the graphical interface:
• receiving, at the inventory management device, a product storage request of the customer from the order processing server;
• transmitting, from the inventory management device, a query to the inventory management database to obtain from the inventory management database the real-time listing of all of the available storage space at the at least one storage location;
• analyzing, via the processor of the inventory management device, the real-time listing of all of the available storage space at the at least one storage location obtained from the inventory management database to identify the at least one storage location that matches the duration of storage and the storage conditions selected by the customer;
• and
• based on the identified at least one storage location that matches the duration of storage and the storage conditions selected by the customer, generating, via the processor of the inventory management device, the price for the products to be stored at the identified at least one storage location, and transmitting the generated price from the inventory management device to the order processing server for displaying in the graphical interface;
• and
• providing a customer interface including a plurality of input fields configured to allow the customer to define one or both of:
• a delivery time period and a delivery destination for delivery of at least a portion of the plurality of products;
• and
• a pickup location and a pickup time period for at least a portion of the plurality of products.