E-commerce supply chain network with flexible leasing capacity of fulfillment centers using robust optimization

In recent years, platform-based logistics services such as Blue Whale Company and Flexe have emerged, connecting retailers with idle logistics spaces and enabling short-term, flexible capacity leasing. While these services enhance capacity flexibility, they also pose new challenges for e-commerce supply chain decision-making, particularly in jointly determining leasing durations and additional storage capacities under demand uncertainty. To address these challenges, we propose a two-phase robust optimization model that integrates flexible space-leasing decisions into an e-commerce supply chain framework. Computational experiments show that the proposed model reduces total supply chain costs and enhances service stability under demand variability. Moreover, risk-averse strategies effectively mitigate stockout risks by proactively acquiring additional capacity. Validation using real-world data from a Korean e-commerce network demonstrates the practical applicability of the proposed approach. Furthermore, the study reveals that leasing decisions are significantly influenced by the spatial proximity of shared spaces, capacity constraints, and service level requirements. These findings highlight the practical value of robust and adaptive decision-making in platform-based e-commerce logistics.