A fuzzy-based customer clustering approach with hierarchical structure for logistics network optimization

Highlights：

• A hierarchical analysis structure for customer clustering is proposed to optimize the logistics network.

• A fuzzy integration method is used to map the sub-criteria into the higher hierarchical criteria.

• A fuzzy clustering algorithm based on Axiomatic Fuzzy Set is developed to group the customers into multiple clusters.

• The clustering validity index is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.

• The clustered result by the proposed algorithm adheres to the real-world scenario in Anshun City very well.