Automated pricing and replenishment forecasting for vegetable items

Firstly, the thesis extensively analysed and processed the vegetable sales data of a fresh food superstore. It integrated the product information and sales data of each vegetable category, and carried out data cleaning and analysis through Excel tools, including sorting out the outliers, listing the sales volume of each of the six categories, using pivot tables for statistical analysis, and establishing line graphs, heat maps, scatter plots, and other visual displays of the data characteristics and correlations. Secondly, the thesis investigated the relationship between sales volume and pricing, fitted the correlation between total sales volume and pricing using a random forest regression model, and predicted the daily replenishment volume for the coming week using an LSTM time series model. It also fitted quantitative fitting formulas for metrics for each vegetable category, classified profits into normal sales volume profits and discounted sales volume profits, and ultimately maximised profits through dynamic programming models and particle swarm optimisation algorithms. Finally, the thesis considered the impact of other factors such as weather, holidays, seasons and market environment on sales volume with specific data collection and analyses that help guide better pricing strategies. The findings will contribute to a better understanding of vegetable sales behaviour and optimise superstore operational strategies.