Multi-merchant gift registry

A system for registering items selected by a registrant from a plurality of participating merchants for subsequent communication to a prospective purchaser, the system comprising:

• a gift registry kiosk disposed proximate the stores of a plurality of merchants in a shopping area, each of said merchants participating in the gift registry, the gift registry kiosk having a computer system containing identifying information about a registrant, the information for each registrant including at least one name for the registrant and a list of potential gifts which the registrant has identified;
• a portable input and storage device for use by the registrant with a plurality of participating merchants, the input and storage device being capable of receiving and storing information regarding the registrant's desired gifts including the merchant each desired gift is from, wherein the input and storage device stores a unique identifier for the particular merchant each desired gift is from;
• a transfer device connected to the computer system that receives the information regarding the registrant's desired gifts from the portable input and storage device and transfers the information to the computer system;
• and
• a prospective purchaser interface device that allows a prospective purchaser to view a list of the goods desired by the registrant wherein the list includes information about the particular merchant each gift is from.

A method of operating a gift registry system capable of registering items selected by a registrant from a plurality of participating merchants in a shopping area as possible gifts for the registrant for subsequent communication to a prospective purchaser for possible purchase as gifts for the registrant, the system having a computer system, a portable input and storage device, a transfer device and a prospective purchaser interface device, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving identifying information about a registrant at the computer system;
• using the portable input and storage device to select desired gifts from a plurality of participating merchants;
• using the portable input and storage device to enter a unique identifier for each participating merchant, such that each gift chosen by the registrant will be identified as being from a certain merchant;
• transferring the information received and stored by the portable input and storage device into the computer system via the transfer device;
• and
• interfacing with a prospective purchaser such that the prospective purchaser can view a list of the gifts desired by the registrant and the particular merchants the gifts are from.