Container pack size optimization

A method comprising:

• providing a distribution facility having at least two conveyor lines, wherein at least one of the at least two conveyor lines comprises a straight line and at least another of the at least two conveyor lines comprises a curved line, wherein each of the at least two conveyor lines has a corresponding lateral distance out to a closest object that would impact a container pack being carried by that conveyor line and having a container pack width that exceeds that lateral distance;
• by a control circuit, generating an optimal container pack size for each of a variety of different items to be transported within the distribution facility using the conveyor lines as an objective function based upon the corresponding lateral distance for each of the at least two conveyor lines and at least two of a holding cost, a distribution facility handling cost, and a downstream handling cost, such that the optimal container pack sizes for each of the variety of different items are optimized with respect to various associated costs and where the optimal container pack sizes are physically realistic in terms of handling capabilities of the conveyor lines of the distribution facility;
• and
• moving container packs that comply with the optimal container pack sizes via the conveyor lines to thereby ship the container packs to at least one downstream store.