Distribution systems and related methods

A distribution system for directing a parcel containing a product to a recipient based on location data for the recipient relative to one or more geographic regions, the distribution system comprising:

• a memory including at least one shipping file for the recipient, the at least one shipping file including an identifier for a portable communication device associated with the recipient and a defined geographic region for the recipient;
• and
• at least one processor in communication with the memory, the at least one processor configured to;
• detect a network-based transaction for the product consistent with the at least one shipping file and based on an account number for a payment account used to fund the transaction;
• retrieve location data of the portable communication device identified in the at least one shipping file, from the portable communication device, based on the identifier associated with the portable communication device;
• determine, based on the retrieved location data, whether a location of the portable communication device is within the defined geographic region;
• direct an entity associated with the product to ship the product to the recipient when the location is determined to be within the defined geographic region;
• and
• direct the entity to hold shipment of the product when the location is determined to be outside the defined geographic region, whereby the entity holds shipment of the product until a time when the recipient is located within the defined geographic region.

A non-transitory computer readable storage media including executable instructions for use in directing a parcel to a recipient, which when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:

• generate and store a shipping file for the recipient, the shipping file including an identifier for a portable communication device associated with the recipient and a defined geographic region for the recipient;
• detecting a network-based transaction for a product included in the parcel based on the shipping file and based on an account number for a payment account used to fund the transaction, the network-based transaction indicative of an expected shipment of the parcel;
• in response to detecting the network-based transaction, retrieve location data for a location of the portable communication device, from the portable communication device, based on the identifier associated with the portable communication device;
• determine, based on the retrieved location data, whether the location of the portable communication device is within the defined geographic region;
• direct an entity associated with the parcel to ship the parcel to the recipient when the location is determined to be within the defined geographic region;
• and
• direct the entity to hold shipment of the parcel when the location is determined to be outside the defined geographic region, whereby the entity holds shipment of the parcel until a time when the recipient is located within the defined geographic region.