U.S. patent application number 11/687101 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-05 for computerized management system for multi-chain promotions and related audit system.
This patent application is currently assigned to PREMARK FEG L.L.C.. Invention is credited to Robert J. Schuller, Robert J. Weisz.
Application Number | 20070156531 11/687101 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34574738 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070156531 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schuller; Robert J. ; et
al. |
July 5, 2007 |
COMPUTERIZED MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR MULTI-CHAIN PROMOTIONS AND
RELATED AUDIT SYSTEM
Abstract
A promotion management system identifies store-selected
identifiers as necessary to implement a particular promotion across
multiple store chains. An audit system compares number of promotion
offers distributed to number of linking items sold.
Inventors: |
Schuller; Robert J.; (Troy,
OH) ; Weisz; Robert J.; (Aurora, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THOMPSON HINE LLP
P.O Box 8801
DAYTON
OH
45401-8801
US
|
Assignee: |
PREMARK FEG L.L.C.
Wilmington
DE
|
Family ID: |
34574738 |
Appl. No.: |
11/687101 |
Filed: |
March 16, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10746177 |
Dec 26, 2003 |
|
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11687101 |
Mar 16, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/14.13 ;
705/14.25; 705/14.27; 705/14.38; 705/14.65 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/02 20130101;
G06Q 30/0268 20130101; G06Q 30/0226 20130101; G06Q 30/0211
20130101; G06Q 30/0224 20130101; G06Q 30/0238 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/014 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/00 20060101
G06Q030/00 |
Claims
1-21. (canceled)
22. A method for promotion monitoring in connection with the
distribution of a particular promotion offer for a promoted product
by one or more devices in a store in connection with one or more
linking products, the method involving the steps of: tracking a
number of promotion offers distributed by the one or more devices
in the store; tracking a number of linking products that pass
through a point-of-sale of the store; comparing the tracked number
of promotion offers with the tracked number of linking
products.
23. The method of claim 22 including the further steps of: based
upon the comparing step: initiating an error indication if the
tracked number of promotion offers is greater than the tracked
number of linking products by at least a certain amount.
24. The method of claim 22 including the further step of:
generating billing data if the tracked number of promotion offers
is no more than a certain amount greater than the tracked number of
linking products.
25. A computerized system operating to carry out the method of
claim 22.
26. A method for providing an audit function in connection with
billing for in-store promotions, where distribution of one or more
promotion offers for one or more promoted products by one or more
devices in a store is made in connection with one or more promotion
tied products, and billing of an offer entity is made according to
number of promotion offers distributed, the method involving the
steps of: receiving a tracked number of promotion offers
distributed by the one or more devices in the store; receiving a
tracked number of promotion tied products that passed through a
point-of-sale of the store; comparing the tracked number of
promotion offers with the tracked number of promotion tied
products; and if the tracked number of promotion offers is greater
than the tracked number of promotion tied products by at least a
certain amount, identifying a potential audit failure.
27. The method of claim 26 comprising the further steps of: if the
tracked number of promotion offers is not greater than the tracked
number of promotion tied products by at least the certain amount,
providing an audit pass certification to the offer entity in
connection with a bill.
28. The method of claim 26 wherein the one or more promotion tied
products are linking products.
29. A computerized system operating to carry out the method of
claim 26.
30. An audit system for providing an audit function in connection
with billing for an in-store promotion involving the distribution
of promotion offers for one or more promoted products by one or
more devices in a store in connection with one or more promotion
tied products, and billing of an offer entity is made according to
number of promotion offers distributed, the audit system
comprising: a computerized system operable to carry out the
following steps: compare a tracked number of promotion offers
distributed by the one or more devices with a tracked number of
promotion tied products that passed through a point-of-sale of the
store; and identify a potential audit failure if the tracked number
of promotion offers is greater than the tracked number of promotion
tied products by at least a certain amount.
31. The audit system of claim 30 wherein the certain amount is
defined by a percentage of the tracked number of promotion tied
products.
32. The audit system of claim 30 wherein the certain amount is
defined according to historical data.
33. The audit system of claim 30 wherein the computerized system is
further operable to carry out the following step: if the tracked
number of promotion offers is not greater than the tracked number
of promotion tied products by at least the certain amount, issuing
an audit pass message.
34. The audit system of claim 30 wherein, if a potential audit
failure is identified, the computerized system stores an audit
failure indicator in a database.
35. The audit system of claim of claim 30 wherein, if a potential
audit failure is identified, the computerized system generates
billing data so as to bill the offer entity for less than the
tracked number of promotion offers.
36. The audit system of claim 35 wherein the billing data is
generated so as to bill the offer entity for a number of promotion
offers corresponding to the tracked number of promotion tied
products.
37. The audit system of claim 30 wherein the promotion offers are
pre-printed on labels used in connection with an in-store scale
device.
38. The audit system of claim 30 wherein the one or more promotion
tied products are linking products.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to systems utilized
to set-up and manage promotions for multiple store chains, and more
particularly, to systems utilized to set-up and manage promotions
across multiple store chains where such promotions are linked to
specific items.
BACKGROUND
[0002] As demonstrated by U.S. Pat. No. 5,578,797, it is known to
provide food product scales capable of printing labels having a
coupon part with a coupon bar code thereon. As demonstrated by
European Patent Application No. EP 1,197,892 A2, control messages
and information can be sent from remote locations to implement or
adjust the coupon messages printed by any give scale in a store. As
explained in co-pending application Ser. No. 10/423,471, filed Apr.
25, 2003, which application is assigned to the assignee of the
present application, incentives can be printed on labels or paper
tickets, and can also be communicated to store customers using
displays.
[0003] Unfortunately, when it comes to perishable food products
such as those commonly found in the deli, meat & fish or fruit
& vegetable departments, different store chains can use
different product identifiers for the same food products, making it
difficult to easily manage and distribute similar promotions for
different store chains. It would be desirable to have an effective,
computerized system for managing coupons, incentives,
advertisements and other promotions across multiple store chains.
Because manufacturers are typically charged for each coupon or
other promotion distributed, it would also be desirable to provide
an audit function to assure manufacturers that they are only being
billed for legitimate distribution of promotions.
SUMMARY
[0004] In one aspect, a promotion management system is provided for
managing a promotion to be provided in at least one store of a
first store chain and at least one store of a second store chain,
where the promotion is for a promoted product and is to be
implemented in the store of the first store chain and the store of
the second store chain in relation with a promotion category. The
system includes a computerized system operable to carry out the
following steps in connection with the promotion: identify a first
store selected identifier associated with a product that is sold by
the store of the first store chain and that is in the promotion
category; and identify a second store selected identifier
associated with a product that is sold by the store of the second
store chain and that is in the promotion category; wherein the
first store selected identifier is different than the second store
selected identifier.
[0005] In another aspect, a computerized promotion management
system includes a database of store product information including a
plurality of store selected identifiers associated with a
respective plurality of products, the database also associating
each of the plurality of products with one or more promotion
categories. A promotion set-up unit accesses the database to
identify one or more store selected identifiers associated with one
or more respective products that are within a promotion category
for a particular promotion being set-up.
[0006] In a further aspect, a computerized promotion management
system includes an interface for receiving PLU number file data. A
mapping unit examines a plurality of PLU number records in the PLU
number file data and, for at least some of the PLU number records,
matches the PLU number record to one ore more specified promotion
categories that apply to the product associated with the PLU number
record. A database receives and stores mapped PLU number data.
[0007] In a further aspect, a method is provided for promotion
monitoring in connection with the distribution of a particular
promotion offer for a promoted product by one or more devices in a
store in connection with one or more linking products. The method
involves the steps of: tracking a number of promotion offers
distributed by the one or more devices in the store; tracking a
number of linking products that pass through a point-of-sale of the
store; and comparing the tracked number of promotion offers with
the tracked number of linking products.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of a food product scale;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an exemplary store;
[0010] FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment of a promotion management
system;
[0011] FIG. 4 represents a store PLU record file;
[0012] FIG. 5 represents mapped store PLU record files; and
[0013] FIG. 6 depicts a promotion audit system.
DESCRIPTION
[0014] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a brief introduction providing a
context for the promotion management system hereafter described is
provided. As used herein, the term "promotion" is intended to
broadly encompass coupons, other incentives, and even
advertisements and marketing messages to be distributed to
consumers. Each such distribution of a promotion is referred to
herein as a "promotion offer." In one embodiment, the promotion
management system is utilized to control the set up and
distribution of promotions to be provided by food product scales in
supermarkets and grocery stores. FIG. 1 schematically shows an
exemplary food product scale 10 that includes an associated
weighing station 12 having a load cell or other known weighing
mechanism or device to produce weight indicative signals that are
passed to a controller 14. A user input device 16 (such as a
keypad, a touch sensitive display, a scanner, etc) is also
connected to the controller 14. The user input device 16 may be
utilized by store personnel (or in the case of a self service
situation the customer) to identify the product being weighed,
usually by a PLU (price look-up) number. The controller 14 refers
to a price database (stored in suitable memory of the controller or
accessible via a link through communications interface 18 to
another computer system) to identify the price per unit weight
linked to the entered PLU or other product identifier, and
calculates a total price for the product based upon the weight as
indicated by the weight indicative signals received from the
weighing station 12. The controller 14 then establishes product
print data (such as total price, price per unit weight, product bar
code, logos or other image data, label set-up and format) to be
delivered to a printing mechanism 20. The printing mechanism 20
includes a print head 22 and associated supply of adhesive labels
24 to be applied to products once the product print data is printed
on a label ("product label") and the product label is output. The
print head may be a thermal print head, with the labels including a
thermally activated layer. However, it is recognized that other
print head types and corresponding label types could be used. The
adhesive side of the labels may be entirely or partially coated
with adhesive, and the labels may be formed of any suitable
material. The scale also includes a display 26 for displaying
information, such as weight and price of the item being
weighed.
[0015] In another embodiment, the scale may also include another
display 28, with display 26 set up to face an operator side of the
scale and with the other display 28 set up to face a customer side
of the scale. The inclusion of another printing mechanism 30 is
also possible, with the printing mechanism 30 including an
associated print head 32 and supply of media 34, which media 34 may
be label media or non-label media.
[0016] Referring now to FIG. 2, the scale 10 may be located within
a store 40 having a point of sale 42 with an associated
computerized checkout system, typically including plurality of
check out lanes, each with a corresponding bar code scanner, cash
register and electronic payment terminal (as used for paying by
credit card or debit card). The scale 10 is preferably located at
another location, such as a perishables department as represented
by the fruit and vegetable department 44, the meat and fish
department 46 or associated back room 48, or the deli department 50
so that promotion offers can be provided to customers prior to the
actual purchase of any products and prior to the customer being on
the way out of the store.
[0017] Multiple scales 10 within a store 40 can be used to
distribute promotion offers to customers for promoted products in
relation to linking products. The term "linking product" is use
herein to refer to a product that, when weighed by the scale,
causes a promotion offer to be generated for a promoted product
that is different that the linking product. Often times there will
be some identifiable relationship between the linking product and
the promoted product, such as two food products that are
complimentary to each other. However, there is no requirement that
the linking product and the promoted product have any identifiable
relationship other than the promotion itself. In some promotion
systems promotion offers may be generated by in-store devices other
than scales. Accordingly, the term "linking product" encompasses
products that when identified to such non-scale devices (as by
scanning a product code or manual input of a product code) cause
such non-scale devices to print, or otherwise communicate (e.g., as
by a display) to a consumer, a promotion offer for a promoted
product that is different than the linking product.
[0018] Typical product codes incorporated into the standard UPC-A
bar code format are manufacturer selected and consistent across
different stores and store chains into which the product is placed
and sold. By contrast, PLU numbers are considered "store selected
identifiers" because each store or store chain can select its own
PLU numbering system for the majority of the perishable food items
it offers. For example, for the purpose of weighing, pricing and
check-out, the same brand of hard salami could be identified by one
PLU number in one store chain and could be identified by a
different PLU number in another store chain. While PLU numbers are
discussed herein as the primary form of product identifier used by
stores, it is recognized that other types of store selected
identifiers are possible.
Promotion Set-Up and Distribution
[0019] One embodiment of a computerized promotion management system
100 is shown in FIG. 3. Different retailers 102 communicate their
PLU file data information to the promotion management system 100
where it is accumulated and stored in a database 104. A typical PLU
data file provide by a store would include a record for each PLU
number, along with sufficient information to identify the product
and manufacturer or brand associated with the PLU number, as
indicated by the exemplary PLU data file shown in FIG. 4. It is
recognized that additional data could be provided in the PLU data
file. It is also recognized that each retailer could provide more
than one PLU data file to the promotion management system. For
example, where different stores or regions of the retailer use
different PLU numbering systems or simply offer a different
selection of items under the same PLU numbering system, the
retailer might provide a PLU data file for each store or each
region. Of course, a single PLU data file could also be organized
to provide the different information on a store-by-store or
region-by-region basis.
[0020] Referring again to FIG. 3, a mapping unit 106 has access to
the PLU database 104 and operates to match PLU numbers to different
promotion categories. As used herein the term "promotion category"
is intended to be broadly construed. By way of example, and not by
way of limitation, a "promotion category" may be any one of (i) a
brand-specific product, such as a particular brand of boiled ham,
or a particular brand of baked ham, or a particular brand of hard
salami etc., (ii) a brand-specific product type, such as all hams
(baked, boiled, smoked etc) of a particular brand, (iii) a
brand-generic product, such as all brands of boiled ham, or all
brands of baked ham, or all brands of hard salami etc., (iv) a
brand-generic product type, such as all brands of all hams (backed,
boiled, smoke etc), or (v) a brand per se (e.g., all meat, cheese
or other products of a particular brand). Of course, other
promotion categories could also be established. In any event, the
mapping unit 106 matches the PLU numbers from the retailer PLU data
files in the PLU database 104 to any applicable promotion
categories that are being made available for promotion, and
produces mapped PLU data files that are stored in a mapped PLU
database 108. A mapped PLU data file for each retailer/store chain
may be produced and may include a record for each PLU number of the
store chain along with a flag for each promotion category (PC1, PC2
. . . PCN), with the status of the flag identifying whether the
product associated with the PLU number is in the promotion
category. In the simple example of FIG. 5, a flag bit state of "1"
indicates the product for the given PLU number is in the promotion
category while a flag bit state of "0" indicates the product for
the given PLU number is not in the promotion category. As
indicated, certain products may fall within more than one promotion
category, and some products may not fall within any promotion
category. While not shown in FIG. 5, it is recognized that the
mapped PLU data records in mapped PLU database 108 might also
include some or all of the information included in the
corresponding PLU records of the PLU database 104.
[0021] A promotion set-up unit 110 has access to the mapped PLU
database and operates to created promotion records and files as
necessary to institute various promotions. For example, where a
promotion offer is to be provided for a promoted product (PP) when
products of a certain promotion category (PC) are weighed in stores
of a store chain (SC1) and another store chain (SC2), the promotion
set-up unit 110 accesses the mapped PLU database to identify both
(i) each PLU number in the mapped PLU data file for store chain SC1
that is matched to the promotion category PC and (ii) each PLU
number in the mapped PLU data file for store chain SC2 that is
matched to the promotion category PC. If more than two store chains
are included in the promotion, similar identifications are made for
each additional store chain. Once all necessary identifications are
made, the promotion set-up unit 110 produces promotion records and
files that are stored in promotion database 112. An given promotion
record will typically include the PLU number for the linking
product, the UPC-A bar code number for the promoted product,
verbage identifying a promotion message, data identifying a
promotion discount (e.g., cents off, percent off etc) if
applicable, data identifying the applicable dates for the promotion
and/or other data to assist in carrying out the promotion. A
promotion record file, containing multiple promotion records, may
be established for each store chain or retailer, or multiple
promotion record files may be provided for each store chain or
retailer if necessary for different store chain regions or
different store chain stores. As reflected in FIG. 3, the promotion
set-up unit also communicates with the mapping unit 106 to provide
the promotion categories to the mapping unit 106.
[0022] A promotion file distribution unit 114 has access to the
promotion database and communicates the appropriate promotion
record files to the appropriate stores or store chains. In some
cases the promotion file distribution unit 114 may communicate
directly with food product scales or other promotion generation
devices within stores. It is also possible that in some
implementations the promotion file distribution unit 114 may
communicate directly with point of sale computer systems in
stores.
[0023] A promotion ordering unit 116 may be provided, with product
manufacturers 118 having access (e.g., via the Internet to a
password protected web site) to the unit to view what promotion
categories, times and dates are available and to input an order
indicating a desire to provide one or more promotions for one or
more available promotion categories.
[0024] The promotion management system 100 may be provided by a
single computer system or may be distributed across multiple
computer systems having appropriate communication links, which
could be of any suitable nature including wireless, hard-wired
etc., but may likely utilize Internet links and protocols. The
system 100 includes suitable interfaces for communicating with
store chain computer systems, store computers, in-store devices
etc. as necessary.
[0025] Thus, the foregoing promotion management system facilitates
the set-up and distribution of promotions across multiple store
chains, even where promotion offers for promoted products are to be
generated in connection with linking products and the different
store chains utilize different PLU numbers for the same linking
products.
Promotion Offer Billing and Auditing
[0026] Once promotions are established and communicated to the
stores, promotion offers may be selectively communicated to
consumers in relation to the promotion category. For example, where
the promotion category is a generic product-type, such as all
brands of all deli hams, each time a deli scale within a store
running the promotion weighs a ham product, a promotion offer is
provided to the consumer receiving the ham. By way of example and
not by way of limitation, the promotion offer could be provided via
(i) information printed on a label printed by the scale, (ii) a
display associated with the scale, (iii) use of an RFID tag to
which information is written or having an associated number that
becomes linked to the promotion, or (iv) some combination of the
foregoing.
[0027] Food product manufacturer's commonly have a set budget for
coupons and other promotions, and therefore are drawn toward
promotions that give them the most return on their investment. In
the promotion system described above it is contemplated that
manufacturer's of promoted products will be charged a certain fee
for each promotion offer distributed to a consumer. The fee may be
the same as between different manners of providing the promotion
offer to the consumer, or could vary. Regardless, it is anticipated
that the promotion system can be made more attractive to
manufacturers if they can be provided with some assurance that
substantially all promotion offers distributed, and for which they
pay, are legitimate. The following audit system is intended to
provide that assurance.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 6, a promotion offer audit system 200 is
provided. The system 200 includes a promotion offer distribution
database 202 that receives and stores data regarding the number and
type of promotion offers distributed by a store 204, as well as the
date of distribution. Alternatively, where stores prefer not to
provide data identifying the exact date of distribution of each
promotion offer, all promotion offer data could be for a set,
billing time period. In one example, the scale systems 10 may be
configured to maintain a running count of each promotion offer
distributed. In one embodiment the promotion offer distribution
data is communicated directly from the promotion distributing scale
systems 10 within the store to the system 200. In another
embodiment the data is first communicated from the scale systems 10
to a store computer system 206, which in turn communicates the data
to the system 200. It is also recognized that multiple stores could
first communicate the promotion offer distribution data to a store
chain computer system or regional computer system before the data
is communicated on to the promotion offer audit system 200.
Regardless of the manner in which the data is communicated, the
information in database 202 can be used for billing manufacturers
of promoted products. However, the information in database 202 is
first compared with control or audit data. In this regard, system
202 includes a linking product sales database 208 that stores
information concerning total sales of various linking products, as
well as the dates of such sales. Alternatively, where stores prefer
not to provide exact dates of sales, the sales data could be for
the set, billing time period. The system 200 may receive the
information for database 208 from a point-of-sale computer system
210 in the store, or the information may first be communicated to
store computer system 206 or a store chain computer system prior to
communication to the system 200. The point-of-sale computer system
210 or store computer system 206 may be configured to analyze sales
data to accumulate or track sales of linking products.
[0029] Referring to the example mentioned above (i.e., where the
promotion category is all brands of all deli hams), the deli hams
represent the linking products that, when weighed, cause a
promotion offer to be provided for a promoted product. For the sake
of this example assume the promoted product is BrandX Mustard, in
which case the deli hams can be referred to as BrandX Mustard
Linking Products. In such case, database 202 includes information
identifying the number of promotion offers distributed for BrandX
Mustard during the billing time period, and database 204 includes
information identifying the number of BrandX Mustard Linking
Products that passed through the point-of-sale during the billing
time period. Because each distribution of a promotion offer for
BrandX Mustard should be accompanied by a customer receiving the
BrandX Mustard Linking Product that was weighed, it is reasonable
to expect that the number of promotion offers distributed for
BrandX Mustard during the billing time period should fairly match
the number of BrandX Mustard Linking Products that passed through
the point-of-sale during the same billing time period. However, it
is recognized that an exact match will not likely occur because of
the human error factor. For example, errors occasionally occur
during weighing of food products (e.g., errors that might cause an
operator to weigh a food product twice in which a promotion offer
might be "distributed" to a particular consumer twice even though
only one linking product is given to the particular consumer).
Similarly, consumers introduce errors when they receive a weighed
food product and later decide not to purchase it, in which case the
consumer often removes the product from their collection of food
items and leaves it somewhere in the store. This consumer action is
often referred to as a "set down." Optimum implementation of the
audit system herein described will involve first examining or
tracking historical data for set downs and operator errors in given
stores. This historical data can then be incorporated into the
functionality of the audit and billing unit 212 of system 200 as
described below.
[0030] In particular, audit and billing unit 212 accesses and
processes information from databases 202 and 208 during billing and
auditing. The unit 212 compares the number of promotion offers
distributed for BrandX Mustard during a billing time period with
the number of BrandX Mustard Linking Products that passed through
the point-of-sale during the same billing time period. Assume
historical data indicates that the number of promotion offers
distributed for BrandX Mustard should be no more than a certain
amount greater than the number of BrandX Mustard Linking Products
that pass through the point-of-sale. The unit 212 produces and
stores in database 214 billing data with an audit certification if,
in fact, the comparison indicates that the number of promotion
offers distributed for BrandX Mustard is no more than the certain
amount greater than the number of BrandX Mustard Linking Products
that passed through the point-of-sale. However, if the comparison
indicates that the number of promotion offers distributed for
BrandX Mustard is more than the certain amount greater than the
number of BrandX Mustard Linking Products that passed through the
point-of-sale, the unit 212 produces and stores an audit failure
indication, or potential audit failure indication, in database 216.
In one implementation the audit and billing unit 212 does not
generate billing data in such as case. However, in a more advanced
implementation, the audit and billing unit 212 may simply
automatically adjust the promotion offer billing data for the
BrandX Mustard promotion to match or substantially match the number
of BrandX Mustard Linking Products that passed through the
point-of-sale. The generation of audit failure data or potential
audit failure data may also be used to initiate a review of the
cause of the discrepancy in an effort to correct any problem that
might exist. For example, an audit error message could be
communicated to the store 204, which would then be responsible for
investigating the cause of the audit error. A billing generation
unit 218 is also shown and can access database 214 to generate
(e.g., print or electronically produce) a bill that can be
forwarded to the BrandX manufacturer. The generates bill can
include message data certifying that the bill has been audited and
the audit passed.
[0031] While the foregoing assumes that a single promotion offer is
provided in connection with a linking product, it is recognized
that multiple promotion offers could be provided in connection with
each linking product weighed, in which case the comparing step
might involve first dividing the tracked number of promotion offers
by 2 or 3 or 4 etc.
[0032] While the foregoing example suggests the use of historical
data to identify the appropriate, permissible difference between
the number of promotion offers distributed and number of linking
products sold, it is recognized that such historical data need not
be used. For example, a permissible difference could simply be
assumed.
[0033] In another implementation, the audit billing unit 212 could
be configured such that differences between the number of promotion
offers distributed and number of linking products sold simply
trigger the generation of billing data for a number of promotion
offers that matches or substantially matches the number of linking
products sold.
[0034] Moreover, while the above-described examples are discussed
primarily with reference to variable promotions that are selected
and delivered on the fly in the store, it is recognized that the
subject audit system could be used in connection with any
promotions distributed in connection with another product,
including preprinted promotions as might be included on labels used
in scales or other in-store printing devices. In such cases the
`another product` is considered a "promotion tied product" even
though it may not be a "linking product." Further, the term
"promotion tied product" is intended to encompass "linking
products" as well.
[0035] While the foregoing example is made with respect to a single
promotion, it is recognized that the same auditing functions would
be taking place for each promotion in effect in a given store or
store chain. Further, while the illustrated embodiment contemplates
an audit system 200 remote from the stores 204, it is recognized
that the audit function could be incorporated into each store
computer system 206. Moreover, the audit function could be
incorporated into a regional or nationwide computer system for a
store chain. However, more likely than not the audit functionality
of system 200 would be integrated with the computer system or
systems making up the promotion management system 100 previously
described with reference to FIG. 3.
[0036] It is recognized that numerous other variations exist,
including both narrowing and broadening variations of the
above-described embodiments and examples.
* * * * *