System and method for online shopping optimization

A method for optimizing online shopping decisions of a buyer for purchasing a plurality of items from a plurality of vendors each having a respective product catalog database, the method comprising the steps of:

• compiling a shopping list corresponding to the plurality of items;
• constructing, via a computing device, a mathematical programming modeling formulation in order to model a decision optimizing problem for purchasing the shopping list, wherein the mathematical programming modeling formulation comprises at least one linear function and the at least one linear function defines the decision optimizing problem;
• solving, using a mixed integer programming solution engine, the mathematical programming modeling formulation for at least one first solution, wherein the at least one first solution represents a set of consistent shopping decisions;
• and
• presenting the at least one first solution to the buyer.

A system for optimizing an online shopping decision of a buyer for purchasing an item from a plurality of vendors each having a respective product catalog database, the system comprising:

• a processing device;
• and
• memory operatively connected to the processing device, wherein the memory comprises computer instructions that, when executed by the processing device, cause the system to:
• construct a mathematical programming modeling formulation in order to model the decision optimizing problem, wherein the mathematical programming modeling formation comprises at least one linear equation that defines the decision optimizing problem;
• solve the mathematical programming modeling formulation using a mixed integer programming solution engine for at least one first solution, wherein the at least one first solution represents a set of consistent shopping decisions;
• and
• present the at least one first solution to the buyer.