Methods and apparatuses are provided, some apparatuses comprise: a location controller separate from a motorized transport unit, comprising: a transceiver configured to receive communications from the motorized transport unit; a control circuit; a memory storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to perform the steps of: obtain, from the communications, a unique light source identifier of a light source detected by the motorized transport unit, and relative distance information determined by the motorized transport unit through an optical measurement; process the at least one unique light source identifier and the relative distance information relative to a mapping of the shopping facility; and determine, in response to the processing, a location of the motorized transport unit within the shopping facility as a function of the at least one unique light source identifier and the relative distance information.

Methods and apparatuses are provided, some apparatuses comprise: a location controller separate from a motorized transport unit, comprising: a transceiver configured to receive communications from the motorized transport unit; a control circuit; a memory storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to perform the steps of: obtain, from the communications, a unique light source identifier of a light source detected by the motorized transport unit, and relative distance information determined by the motorized transport unit through an optical measurement; process the at least one unique light source identifier and the relative distance information relative to a mapping of the shopping facility; and determine, in response to the processing, a location of the motorized transport unit within the shopping facility as a function of the at least one unique light source identifier and the relative distance information.

A central computer system directs a motorized transport unit through a retail shopping facility to a particular mobile item container having at least one item disposed therein, that item being designated for return to a particular department within the retail shopping facility such that this item can then again be presented for sale. After causing that motorized transport unit to physically attach to this mobile item container, the central computer system then directs that motorized transport unit through the retail shopping facility with the attached particular mobile item container to the one or more departments to which the item or items are to be so returned.

A central computer system directs a motorized transport unit through a retail shopping facility to a particular mobile item container having at least one item disposed therein, that item being designated for return to a particular department within the retail shopping facility such that this item can then again be presented for sale. After causing that motorized transport unit to physically attach to this mobile item container, the central computer system then directs that motorized transport unit through the retail shopping facility with the attached particular mobile item container to the one or more departments to which the item or items are to be so returned.

Systems, apparatuses, and methods for determining item availability are provided. A computer implemented method for determining item availability in a shopping space comprising: receiving a request for an item for purchase from a customer, querying an inventory database to determine whether the item for purchase is in stock, in an event that the item for purchase is not in stock according to the inventory database: determining an out of stock response to present to the customer, in an event that the item for purchase is in stock according the inventory database: instructing a motorized transport unit to travel to a display space in the shopping space corresponding to the item for the purchase, determining whether the item is available in the display space based on information captured by one or more sensors of the motorized transport unit, and in an event that the item for purchase is not available in the display space: determining an item unavailable response to present to the customer.

Systems, apparatuses, and methods for determining item availability are provided. A computer implemented method for determining item availability in a shopping space comprising: receiving a request for an item for purchase from a customer, querying an inventory database to determine whether the item for purchase is in stock, in an event that the item for purchase is not in stock according to the inventory database: determining an out of stock response to present to the customer, in an event that the item for purchase is in stock according the inventory database: instructing a motorized transport unit to travel to a display space in the shopping space corresponding to the item for the purchase, determining whether the item is available in the display space based on information captured by one or more sensors of the motorized transport unit, and in an event that the item for purchase is not available in the display space: determining an item unavailable response to present to the customer.

A resetting cart with a number of product support assemblies is provided. The product support assemblies are movably coupled to a cart assembly and structured to move between a number of vertical positions. Thus, a number of reset assembly shelf assemblies are disposed at a selected elevation that generally corresponds to a product support assembly (e.g., a shelf) elevation.

A resetting cart with a number of product support assemblies is provided. The product support assemblies are movably coupled to a cart assembly and structured to move between a number of vertical positions. Thus, a number of reset assembly shelf assemblies are disposed at a selected elevation that generally corresponds to a product support assembly (e.g., a shelf) elevation.

A receptacle article comprises a first wall, a second wall, a connection between a peripheral edge of the first wall and the second wall, the connection defining a peripheral edge of the receptacle, a hollow interior between an inner surface of the first wall and an inner surface of the second wall, and an opening, the opening exposing the hollow interior to an external environment of the receptacle. The opening can be through a thickness of one of the first and second wall. The pocket can be filled with a filler or cushioning material so that the receptacle can function as a multi-purpose cushioning member or system. The filler material can be used plastic grocery bags.

A receptacle article comprises a first wall, a second wall, a connection between a peripheral edge of the first wall and the second wall, the connection defining a peripheral edge of the receptacle, a hollow interior between an inner surface of the first wall and an inner surface of the second wall, and an opening, the opening exposing the hollow interior to an external environment of the receptacle. The opening can be through a thickness of one of the first and second wall. The pocket can be filled with a filler or cushioning material so that the receptacle can function as a multi-purpose cushioning member or system. The filler material can be used plastic grocery bags.