Abstract: Apparatus for managing a tab relating to purchases, the apparatus including a sales terminal, a client device and an account server in communication via one or more communications networks. The account server provides an open tab message to the sales terminal, which opens a tab for the user and provides a tab identifier message to the account server. The account server provides an indication of the tab identifier to the client device allowing a user of the client device to present the tab identifier when making a purchase so that the purchase can be added to the tab. The sales terminal provides a tab balance message to the account server, which processes payment of the tab on behalf of the user in accordance with the tab balance and provides payment confirmation to the sales terminal.