Abstract: A computer-implemented method of enabling remote and/or a virtual shopping of an actual retail store is disclosed. Software provides a means of creating custom, electronic shopping mall configurations that may include a plurality of participating retail stores, each of which may be selected from a list of participating retailers. The mall's stores and walkways may be selectable to launch a remote/virtual shopping experience. Navigation is by moving a cursor to browse for desired merchandise. Remote shopping is achieved through the use of a plurality of cameras at participating stores to provide live streaming images of store merchandise for remote shopping, or a series of recorded images that permit virtual shopping. All images may be embedded with merchandise information. Holding the cursor over a merchandise image may reveal embedded information. Views obstructed by a live shopper in the live streaming image may be supplanted by the beginning-of-day stored images.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of enabling remote and/or a virtual shopping of an actual retail store is disclosed. Software provides a means of creating custom, electronic shopping mall configurations that may include a plurality of participating retail stores, each of which may be selected from a list of participating retailers. The mall's stores and walkways may be selectable to launch a remote/virtual shopping experience. Navigation is by moving a cursor to browse for desired merchandise. Remote shopping is achieved through the use of a plurality of cameras at participating stores to provide live streaming images of store merchandise for remote shopping, or a series of recorded images that permit virtual shopping. All images may be embedded with merchandise information. Holding the cursor over a merchandise image may reveal embedded information. Views obstructed by a live shopper in the live streaming image may be supplanted by the beginning-of-day stored images.