And taking it one step further, how about a way of downloading the data to the checkout register so the checker does not need to scan everything again, but can just ensure that the contents matches the downloaded list? Might be a way to increase the service rate.

add a little one to one functionality. Provide this as service to consumer. Person registers online, enters in some simpe info...wants, needs, maybe buying behavior if the person so chooses.

At the store, access the service, do the product search, and track all the way to the point of sale. Determine if the product being searched was not purchased, and if not, send a special offer or incentive to get the person back in the store to buy. For example, if I am looking for a specific appliance at Home Depot, I use the service to track it down, but not buy the product, the service can make a safe assumption that I might be heading to Sears to look for the same appliance (because I've let the service know via my web registration that HD, Sears, and Best Buy are the places I shop when looking for an appliance, etc.)

It enables a company to follow up on a lost sale (given they had an interested buyer), and get a second chance to close the deal with relevant, personalized incentives.

Fun