Abstract: A software component comprises a plurality of modules each executing in a browser environment to make use of “friends” data in a networking site for data gathering and filtering in support of e-commerce through the networking site. A user-interface module operates to output catalog information to the logged-in user and to capture any input. Meanwhile, a data cache or memory is accessible to the modules and is configured to store the catalog information. A control module responds to any input captured at the user-interface so as to provide the catalog information to the user-interface, wherein the catalog data is typically provided from the data cache. A discovery module operates to identify any friends associated with the logged-in user. A communications module operates to populate the data cache with any catalog information retrieved from the server that is associated with the logged-in user and/or any discovered friends.

Abstract: A method in support of fulfilling an e-commerce transaction between an outlet and a customer with respect to products not held in inventory by the outlet. When a customer selects one of the items not held in inventory by the outlet, the outlet transmits a purchase order to the provider; the provider then transmits a second purchase order for the selected product to a supplier and awaits an acceptance of the purchase order from the supplier. The supplier extracts the relevant data from the purchase order, obtains the selected product from its inventory, and packages and ships the selected product directly to the customer according to the branding requirements so as to insinuate delivery to the customer directly from the outlet. Preferably, the packaged product does not include any indication, or any in-the-clear indication, of the supplier fulfilling the e-commerce purchase order.