Abstract: A method for use in marketing includes detecting, at a remote computer, product purchase information of a plurality of retail stores. The product purchase information includes price information. The remote computer is located remote from the retail store. The method also includes receiving, at the remote computer, a shopping list of a customer. The shopping list includes at least one item. In response to receiving the shopping list, communication to the customer of price information associated with at least one item on the shopping list for the plurality of retail stores is initiated by the remote computer.

Abstract: A method for customer promotion includes sequentially processing each of a plurality of items in a customer order. The price of each item is accumulated after processing. A marginal discount associated with each item processed is generated. This marginal discount is generated in response to a signal that indicates the accumulated price exceeds a predetermined threshold. Unapplied marginal discounts are accumulated for application to the customer order. A discount is applied to the customer order in response to a signal that is generated that indicates the accumulated discounts exceeds a predetermined minimum.

Abstract: A method for customer promotion includes sequentially processing each of a plurality of items in a customer order. A marginal discount associated with each item is determined. All unapplied marginal discounts are accumulated for application to the customer order. A discount is applied to the customer order in response to a signal that is generated that indicates the accumulated discounts exceeds a predetermined minimum.

Abstract: A method for customer promotion includes sequentially receiving signals indicative of respective bar codes of a plurality of items in a customer order. The price of each item is accumulated. A marginal discount associated with each item processed is generated. This marginal discount is generated in response to a signal that indicates the accumulated price exceeds a predetermined threshold. Unapplied marginal discounts are accumulated for application to the customer order. A discount is applied to the customer order in response to a signal that is generated that indicates the accumulated discounts exceeds a predetermined minimum.

Abstract: A method for use in marketing includes receiving at a remote location through the Internet, substantially real-time product purchase information from a retail store in conjunction with an identification code of a customer purchasing the parts at a point-of-sale. The method also includes generating at the remote location an incentive to be communicated to the identified customer and initiating communication of data relative to the incentive to the identified customer at the point-of-sale.