Abstract: A method that includes (1) storing (a) item data associated with retail items available for sale to retailers and (b) presentation information that defines a mode for presenting the item data to a buyer associated with the retailer, (2) presenting the item data to a buyer in an interactive user interface in accordance with the predefined mode, and (3) accepting from the buyer through the user interface, order information associated with at least some of the retail items for which item data has been presented.

Abstract: A method that includes (a) interacting electronically with relatively lower volume retailing customers of a manufacturer to conduct transactions that involve products of the manufacturer, the interaction with the retailing customers occurring through a network-driven graphical user interface, and (b) interacting electronically with the manufacturer to conduct the transactions, the interaction with the manufacturer occurring through a communication protocol that is already used by the manufacturer to interact directly with relatively higher volume individual retailing customers.