System and method for obtaining merchandise information

A system for obtaining merchandise information, comprising a store system coupled to a communication network to receive an information inquiry from a customer regarding a particular product, wherein the store system comprises:

• means for receiving via a communication network an information inquiry from a customer regarding a particular product;
• means for determining a location of the customer;
• means for determining a store closest to the customer by means of the customer location;
• means for searching a merchandise database for the inquired information regarding the particular product, wherein searching the merchandise database is limited to products available at the store closest to the customer location;
• means for retrieving the inquired information from the merchandise database;
• and
• means for transmitting the inquired information to the customer.

A method of generating a merchandise database used in a system for obtaining merchandise information, comprising:

• receiving from an operator having a telephony device via a communication network a request for entering information to the merchandise database;
• requesting the operator to speak a current operator location with respect to at least one of an aisle and shelf in a store;
• requesting the operator to enter at least one of a predetermined product indicium and name of a product at the current operator location;
• and
• storing data representing the current operator location and data representing the product indicium as a data set in the merchandise data base.