SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ASSEMBLING MERCHANDISE ITEMS

There are provided systems and methods for assembling merchandise ordered by customers. In one form, the system may include: a merchandise order interface for receiving orders placed by customers; a retailer facility with shelving locations corresponding to categories of merchandise items; and a merchandise database containing records of the merchandise categories at the retailer facility and identifying a group of difficult-to-pick merchandise categories, including items stored in locked cases and in non-public areas of the retailer facility. The system may also include a control circuit that: receives merchandise orders, determines merchandise items in the difficult-to-pick merchandise categories, selects a first picker with access to the difficult-to-pick items, instructs the first picker to assemble them, instructs a second picker to assemble merchandise items not within the difficult-to-pick merchandise categories, and instructs the second picker to consolidate the difficult-to-pick items and the items assembled by the second picker.