Abstract: Apparatus and methods of improving retail shopping are described. In some examples, product-identifying information associated with a user identifier is received from a remote network node. Respective product identifiers are determined based on the received product identifying information. A personal shopping database of shopping records respectively including the determined product identifiers is maintained in association with the user identifier. Information relating to one or more of the shopping records in the personal shopping database is ascertained. The ascertained information is transmitted to the remote network device. In addition, handheld devices, demagnetizing stations, and labels for improving retail shopping are described.