Patent Publication Number: US-2023162272-A1

Title: Shopping trip planner

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This Application is a Continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 17/200,113, filed Mar. 12, 2021, which is a Continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 14/474,117, filed Aug. 30, 2014, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/904,449 filed Nov. 14, 2013, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to data analysis and, in a specific example embodiment, to providing an intelligent shopping infrastructure. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Typically, when a user wants items from more than one merchant, the user has to shop each of the merchants individually, maintain separate shopping carts that are processed separately, and arrange to pick up from each location of the merchants or have the items delivered in a plurality of packages. Additionally, the user may be hesitant to complete a transaction if the user cannot see, feel, or try on certain items. This leads to the user abandoning a shopping session or a shopping cart that has items in it. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Various ones of the appended drawings merely illustrate example embodiments of the present invention and cannot be considered as limiting its scope. 
         FIG.  1    is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of a network architecture of a system used to provide an instant stylist. 
         FIG.  2    is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of a marketplace system. 
         FIG.  3    is a block diagram of an example user engine. 
         FIG.  4    is a block diagram of an example merchant engine. 
         FIG.  5    is a block diagram of an example collection engine 
         FIG.  6    is a flow diagram of an example method for managing an order at a marketplace system. 
         FIG.  7    is a flow diagram of an example method for processing an order at a merchant. 
         FIG.  8    is a flow diagram of an example method for upselling to a user. 
         FIG.  9    is a flow diagram of an example method for processing an item collection order. 
         FIG.  10    is a flow diagram of an example method for providing a local shopping opportunity. 
         FIG.  11    is a flow diagram of an example method for providing shopping trip planning. 
         FIG.  12    is a flow diagram of an example method for providing shopping planning at a kiosk. 
         FIG.  13    is a simplified block diagram of a machine in an example form of a computing system within which a set of instructions for causing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein may be executed. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The description that follows includes systems, methods, techniques, instruction sequences, and computing machine program products that embody illustrative embodiments of the present invention. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide an understanding of various embodiments of the inventive subject matter. It will be evident, however, to those skilled in the art that embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In general, well-known instruction instances, protocols, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail. 
     Example embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for providing an intelligent shopping infrastructure. The intelligent shopping infrastructure takes advantage of a user device that allows transmission of information to and from a user interface of the user device with a networked system that can monitor user preferences and affinities, detect user location, maintain merchant inventory, and trigger transactions between the user and one or more merchants. In example embodiments, a data storage of current inventory from a plurality of merchants affiliated with a marketplace system is maintained. User preferences that indicate an item affinity of a user (e.g., brands, merchants, types of items) are accessed and retrieved. Additionally, a location of the user is detected. Using the detected location, available inventory, and item affinity, an available item from the current inventory of a merchant located within a predetermined distance to the location of the user that match the item affinity of the user is identified. The available item is presented on a user interface of a client device of the user. 
     With reference to  FIG.  1   , an example embodiment of a high-level client-server-based network architecture  100  to provide the intelligent shopping infrastructure is shown. A networked system  102 , in an example form of a network-server-side functionality, is coupled via a communication network  104  (e.g., the Internet, wireless network, cellular network, or a Wide Area Network (WAN)) to a client device  106 . The networked system  102  is also coupled via the communication network  104  to a plurality of merchant systems  108 . 
     The client device  106  may comprise a mobile phone, desktop computer, laptop, or any other communication device that a user may utilize to access the networked system  102 . In some embodiments, the client device  106  may comprise a display module (not shown) to display information (e.g., in the form of user interfaces). In further embodiments, the client device  106  may comprise one or more of a touch screen, accelerometer, camera, microphone, and Global Positioning System (GPS) device. The client device  106  may be a device of a user, which is used to search or browse for information (e.g., publications, news items, products for sale), provide user inputs, and receive results from the networked system  102 . In one embodiment, the networked system  102  includes or is linked to a network-based marketplace that manages digital goods, publishes publications comprising product listings of products or items available on the network-based marketplace, and manages payments for these marketplace transactions. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates, for example, the client device  106  having a shopper application  110  executing thereon. The shopper application  110  enables the user device  106  to interface with the networked system  102  in order to search for, locate (e.g., on a map), purchase, or hold items of interest for the user. Accordingly, the shopper application  110  provides a plurality of user interfaces that allow the user to perform searches, receive results, receive recommendations and promotions, view maps or locations of items or merchants, place orders, place items on hold, or return items. 
     In a further embodiment, the networked system  102  may also be linked to a plurality of merchants via their respective merchant systems  108 . Each of the merchant systems  108  may comprise a merchant application  112 . The merchant application  112  may provide information (e.g., inventory, sales, promotions, purchases made by users) to the networked system  102 , which may be shared by the networked system  102  with a user of the client device  106  via the shopper application  110 . Additionally, the merchant application  112  may receive information (e.g., user shopping preferences, orders, item holds, recommendations for users) from the networked system  102 . 
     An Application Program Interface (API) server  114  and a web server  116  are coupled to, and provide programmatic and web interfaces respectively to, one or more application servers  118 . The application servers  118  host a marketplace system  120 , which may comprise one or more modules, applications, or engines, each of which may be embodied as hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. The application servers  118  are, in turn, coupled to one or more database servers  124  facilitating access to one or more information storage repositories, data stores, or databases  126 . In one embodiment, the databases  126  are storage devices that store merchant data (e.g., inventory, location, promotions, sales), user data (e.g., profile, preferences, past shopping history, past browsing history), and transaction data (e.g., orders, item holds). 
     The marketplace system  120  provides an intelligent shopping infrastructure that leverages user location, preferences, and affinities (e.g., past transactions, past browsing history) with merchant information (e.g., current inventory, promotions) to facilitate a transaction. In example embodiments, the marketplace system  120  receives search parameters, performs searches for the items based on the search parameters, process orders and holds for items, manages delivery and returns, and provides recommendations based on location, affinities, and past histories, among other operations. The marketplace system  120  will be discussed in more detail in connection with  FIG.  2    below. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2   , an example block diagram illustrating multiple components that, in one embodiment, are provided within the marketplace system  120  is shown. The marketplace system  120  performs operations that provide an intelligent shopping infrastructure. To enable these operations, the marketplace system  120  comprises a user engine  202 , a merchant engine  204 , a collections engine  206 , and a transaction engine  208 . The multiple components themselves are communicatively coupled (e.g., via appropriate interfaces), either directly or indirectly, to each other and to various data sources (e.g., the databases  126 ), to allow information to be passed between the components or to allow the components to share and access common data. Thus, the marketplace system  120  is coupled to, and exchanges information with, the databases  126 . 
     The user engine  202  manages operations with respect to users (e.g., consumers) of the marketplace system  120 . In example embodiments, the user engine  202  monitors actions performed by the user via, for example, the shopper application  110  on their user device  106 . The actions may include browses and searches, purchases made, items saved to a wishlist or watchlist, and items saved to a cart but not purchased. The user engine  202  may also track a user&#39;s location via their client device  106 . The user engine  202  will be discussed in more detail in connection with  FIG.  3    below. 
     The merchant engine  204  manages operations with respect to merchants that are affiliated with the marketplace system  120 . In example embodiments, merchants exchange information with the marketplace system  120  in order to facilitate transactions with users. Accordingly, the merchant may transmit location and inventory information to the marketplace system  120  while receiving order and hold notifications as well as consumer upsell information. The merchant engine  204  will be discussed in more detail in connection with  FIG.  4    below. 
     The collections engine  206  manages item collections at the marketplace system  120 . An item collection may comprise a plurality of items that are compatible and may be ideal to be purchased together (e.g., in order to complete a project or for a particular look/style). The collections engine  206  will be discussed in more detail in connection with  FIG.  5    below. 
     The transaction engine  208  manages transactions initiated with the marketplace system  120 . Accordingly, the transaction engine  208  may process an order (e.g., collect payment and confirm delivery), and cause the merchant engine  204  to provide notification and to one or more merchants regarding the order (e.g., package and deliver items, hold items) along with managing payment to the one or more merchants. The transaction engine also provides transaction information to the user engine  202  to update preferences of the user (e.g., update purchase history). 
     Referring now to  FIG.  3   , an example block diagram illustrating components that, in one embodiment, are provided within the user engine  202  is shown. The user engine  202  manages operations with respect to users (e.g., consumers) of the marketplace system  120 . To enable these operations, the user engine  202  comprises a profile module  302 , preference module  304 , and a location module  306 . 
     The profile module  302  manages a user profile for each user of the marketplace system  120 . In example embodiments, the user creates and maintains an account (e.g., via the use of the shopper application  110 ) with the marketplace system  120 , whereby user information is stored to the user profile. The user profile may include, for example, a user&#39;s address, billing information (e.g., credit cards and billing addresses), credit worthiness, income, and financial information (e.g., bank accounts). User profile information may be stored in the databases  126  and be accessed, retrieved, or updated by the profile module  302 . 
     The preference module  304  monitors and analyzes user action to determine affinities for each user. Accordingly, the preference module  304  monitors actions performed by the user via their user device  106 . The actions may include, for example, browses and searches for items of interest, purchases made, items saved to a wishlist or watchlist, and items added to a cart but not purchased. These actions may be stored to the database  126  in association with an account or the user profile of the user. In example embodiments, the preference module  304  analyzes the stored actions to determine purchase habits, brand affinities, merchant affinities among other preferences. The preferences are also stored to the database  126  to be used later to provide recommendations to the user. 
     The location module  306  monitors a user&#39;s location via their client device  106 . In example embodiments a location device (e.g., global positioning system (GPS) device) in the client device  106  provides location information to the location module  306 . The location module  306 , in turn, may use or provide the location information to other engines in the marketplace system  120  in order to provide merchant and item results or recommendations that are located within a predetermined distance to the user. The predetermined distance may comprise, for example, a walking distance of the user, a driving distance of the user, and a delivery distance to the user (e.g., continental U.S.). 
     Referring now to  FIG.  4   , an example block diagram illustrating multiple components that, in one embodiment, are provided within the merchant engine  204  is shown. The merchant engine  204  manages item searches, order processing, and delivery among other operations that are associated with merchants. As such, the merchant engine  204  comprises an inventory module  402 , a shopping module  404 , a notification module  406 , a delivery module  408 , a consumer module  410 , and a map module  412 . 
     The inventory module  402  manages inventory information for each merchant affiliated with the marketplace system  120 . In example embodiments, the merchant application  112  shares with the marketplace system  120 , or provides access to, inventory information. As a result, the marketplace system  120  is able to maintain a current inventory of available items for each merchant, and can track inventory in each store of a merchant. 
     The shopping module  404  manages searches by the user for items. Accordingly, the shopping module  404  receives search terms from the client device  106  and performs a search for items that match the search terms. Alternatively, the shopping module  404  receives browse instructions whereby the user navigates through categories and sub-categories to reach items of interest. Search or browse results (e.g., information on items of interest) are transmitted back by the shopping module  404  in response to a search or browse request from the client device  106 . Search and browse inputs as well as results are also stored to the user preferences. 
     In some embodiments, the shopping module  404  automatically factors in the user&#39;s location, as determined by the location module  306 , in determining search results to return to the client device  106 . In other embodiments, the user&#39;s location triggers the shopping module  404  to provide search results to the user without any request by the user. The marketplace system  120  is aware of items that the user has expressed interest in via the preference module  304  (e.g., via saving to a wishlist, item viewed at an online store, item left in cart, items browsed or searched for in the past). Additionally, the marketplace system  120  is aware of the current location of the user. Accordingly, based on the user being in a particular location, the shopping module  404  can initiate a search for one or more of these items that the user had expressed interest in, and determine whether those items are available near the user. The shopping module  404  may also determine whether to present the item to the user based on whether the item is currently on sale or has a promotion. 
     For example, if the user was searching for a particular cable on eBay, but did not purchase the cable, and is now in a location that is near an electronic store where the same cable is on sale, the shopping module  404  can transmit item information (e.g., an offer to purchase) to the client device  106  informing the user of the item nearby. Additionally, since the marketplace system  102  is aware of the inventory at a location of the merchant, the shopping module  404  will not provide the item information if the nearby merchant is out of stock on the item. In one embodiment, the shopping module  404  may present the item information in a user interface that allows the user to place an order for the item, and have the item set aside for pickup. 
     In another example, a general feed of items that may be of interest based on the user&#39;s profile and preferences in a location of the user may be provided. The general feed may include information about the area (e.g., user is near a cool shopping district). Additionally, the shopping module  404  can recommend a store that may be interesting to the user based on profile and preference information (e.g., male, likes a particular kind of fashion, follows a particular brand) and surface that store to the user. Deals and sales from merchants in the local area may also be transmitted in the general feed to the user device  106 . 
     The shopping module  404  also maintains a shopping cart where items selected by the user from one or more merchants may be placed until the user completes the transaction with the transaction engine  208 . As such, the shopping module  404  receives a selection of the item of interest of interest and places the item in the shopping cart. Because the marketplace system  120  comprises a plurality of affiliated merchants, the shopping module  404  has the ability to maintain a single shopping cart for multiple merchants. 
     The notification module  406  manages notifications to the merchants of completed orders or transactions. With an order where all items are from a single merchant, the notification module  406  sends a notification to the single merchant to package the items in the order for pickup or delivery. In the case where the order is from two or more merchants, the notification module  406  sends a notification to each of the merchants to package up the items. Additionally, the notification module  406  may indicate a central location to take the packaged items. For example, each merchant may be notified to place their items from an order in a particular locker or to take the items to one of the merchants involved in a multi-merchant order (e.g., a centrally located merchant). The locker may be at a mall or location that is accessible for long periods of time (e.g., 24 hours a day). 
     Further still, the order may include items that the user would like to try on. For example, the user may select several tops for purchase and indicate two different sizes for a pair of pants. The user pays for the tops and one pair of the pants in order to complete the transaction via the shopper application  110 . In turn, the merchant is notified to set aside and hold the two different sized of the pants for the user to try on when the user comes into the store to pick up the tops. The user can then try on the two pairs of pants and take one of the pairs without having to initiate a separate transaction. 
     The delivery module  408  manages delivery of items that have been ordered. As discussed, the notification to a merchant may indicate a central location that the item(s) in an order should be deposited for pickup. For example, the central location may be a pickup locker. The delivery module  408  may indicate a particular locker to place the item(s). In some cases, the delivery module  408  may also provide an access code to both the merchant and the user (e.g., consumer) that allows access to the particular locker. 
     In example embodiments, the locker is also used to receive returns. Because the marketplace system  120  facilitates transactions across many merchants and stores purchase histories for these merchants, the marketplace system  120  can manage returns through the locker by use of the purchase histories. For example, the user can browse their purchase history and indicate one or more items they would like to return (e.g., not necessary from the same merchant). Instead of having to go to each individual merchant or store location to return the items, the user can simply place all the items into an assigned locker and indicate, using the shopper application  110  to the delivery module  408  that the items have been placed in the locker. The delivery module  408  then notifies the proper merchants of the return, and the merchant can access the locker to retrieve the items. 
     The consumer module  410  provides recommendations based on the user profile and affinities. As discussed with respect to the user engine  202 , the marketplace system  120  stores information about user including, for example, credit worthiness, income, purchase habits, store affinity, and brand affinity. As the user comes into a store (e.g., checks in with the store or client device  106  is detected in the location of the store), the consumer module  410  can inform store personnel about the presence of the user. For example, an identity of the user along with recommendations for the user may be pushed to a device of an associate at the store. The recommendation may include a particular brand that the user likes that is available at the store (e.g. based on the inventory information maintained by the inventory module  402 ). In another example, the recommendation may be based on the user having a child that is heading back to school (e.g., determined from user profile information), and may recommend school supplies that are on sale. Alternatively, the recommendations may be pushed to the client device  106  of the user. Further still, if the user is there to pick up an order that they had placed (e.g., via the shopper application  110 ), the recommendation may include a discount if the user adds the item to their order. Accordingly, the consumer module  410  provides targeted offers that are highly contextual to users in the store. 
     The map module  412  manages shopping trip planning, and can transmit map information to a user interface of the client device  106 . In a local shopping embodiment, the user searches for items in a particular neighborhood or area. When an item of interest is found, the map module  412  places the item (or merchant location of the item) on a map that is transmitted to the user interface of the client device  106 . The user may add other items from other merchants, or the consumer module  410  may recommend items from other merchant locations based on proximity and user affinities. The map module  412  may indicate a path to all the items along with distances between the merchant locations and the user&#39;s location. The user may remove items or merchant locations (e.g., by selecting and deleting. The map module  412  determines an optimal route or path for the user. However, the user can rearrange the route. In some embodiments, the user can reserve the item(s) via the user interface on the client device  106 . 
     In another embodiment, the map module  412  provides in-store maps based on a search result. For example, the user may access a kiosk in a store or otherwise perform a search for an item within the store using their shopper application  110 . The kiosk or shopper application  110  knows the location of the user and thus knows the merchant or store that the user is at. The search module  404  may present a user interface that comprises a questionnaire and based on the answers, an item is recommended. The item may be displayed on a map of the store to the user. In the case of the kiosk, a code (e.g., QR code) may be scanned to upload the map to the client device  106 . Alternatively, the user may enter an identifier of the client device  106  (e.g., phone number of the smartphone) on the kiosk, and the map is transmitted to the client device  106  (e.g., text or email). 
     Referring now to  FIG.  5   , an example block diagram illustrating multiple components that, in one embodiment, are provided within the collection engine  206  is shown. The collection engine  206  manages item collections at the marketplace system  120 . An item collection may comprise a plurality of items that are compatible and may be ideal to be purchased together. Accordingly, the collection engine  206  comprises a curation module  502 , an option module  504 , and an instruction module  506 . 
     The curation module  502  manages organization of items into curated item collections. In some embodiments, the item collection is based on preexisting content such as information licensed from shows (e.g., home improvement shows), material lists for construction, magazine layouts, or publications. The curation module  502  may automatically create item collections by processing material lists into shoppable collections. Further still, a combination of automated and manual process (e.g., via an operator interacting with the curation module  502 ) may be used to generate the item collections. As a result, the user can shop for a complete project (e.g., item collection) instead of just one item within the project. 
     The option module  504  manages options that are available for item collections. In example embodiments, the search module  404  may return an item collection based on a search for a particular item in the item collection. The item collection will indicate the searched for item along with other items that go with the search for item for some reason. Some of the items may be required and are selected by default. However, options may be available for other items (e.g., different style, color, material). These options may be determined and presented by the option module  504  to the user interface of the client device  106 . The user may then select and deselect different options for the item collection. In some embodiments, the options are determined prior to the search performed by the user (e.g., at the time of curation of the item collection). In other embodiments, the options may be determined at the time of the search (e.g., on-the-fly). 
     The instruction module  506  manages instructions associated with item collections. In the case where the item collection involves a project, such as a home improvement project, the instruction module  506  provides access to instructions for completing the project. In some cases, the instructions (or access to the instructions) may be provided to the user via a user interface of the client device after the user purchases the item collection. 
     Although the various components of the marketplace system  120  and its engines have been defined in terms of a variety of individual modules, a skilled artisan will recognize that many of the components can be combined or organized in other ways and that not all modules or engines need to be present or implemented in accordance with example embodiments. Furthermore, not all components of the marketplace system  120  have been included or discussed. In general, components, protocols, structures, and techniques not directly related to functions of exemplary embodiments have not been shown or discussed in detail. The description given herein simply provides a variety of exemplary embodiments to aid the reader in an understanding of the systems and methods used herein. 
       FIG.  6    is a flow diagram of an example method  600  for managing an order at a marketplace system. The method  600  allows the user to shop for items using the shopper application  110 , select items to try on at a store, and complete the transaction. In operation  602 , search parameters are received by the search module  404  from the client device  106 . The search parameters may comprise search terms (e.g., keywords) or instructions to browse through categories and sub-categories to items of interest. For example, the user may shop for clothing via the shopper application  110 . 
     In operation  604 , results are determined and transmitted to the user device  106  for display on a user interface. Accordingly, the search module  404  performs a search for items that match the search terms or navigates through categories and sub-categories to reach the item of interest. The search or browse results (e.g., listing for the item, product page of the item) are transmitted back by the search module  404  to the client device  106 . For example, the user may navigate or be directed to a webpage for an item of clothing based on the search parameters. 
     In operation  606 , a selection of the item of interest is received. Accordingly, the user may decide to purchase, hold, or try on the item and provide an indication or selection of the item. The search module  404  receives the selection. 
     In operation  608 , a determination is made, by the shopping module  404 , as to whether the selection includes an indication to try on the selected item. For example, the user may select a pair of pants and indicate two different sizes that the user would like to try on. If the selection includes the indication to try on the item, the selection is marked as a try on item in operation  610 , and added to the shopping cart in operation  612 . However, if the selection is not a try on item, then the selection may be directly added to the cart in operation  612  after selection in operation  606 . 
     In operation  614 , a determination is made as to whether another search and selection is made. For example, after adding the pair of pants to the shopping cart, the user may decide to search for shirts. If another search is determined, then the method  600  returns to operation  602 . 
     However, if the user is finished shopping, then the order is processed in operation  616 . Accordingly, the transaction engine  208  processes the order. The processing of the order may include one or more of receiving payment and billing information, indicating a location where the items will be delivered or pick-up from, and providing order confirmation information. In one embodiment, the user pays for the selections marked as try on items. For example, the user pays for one pair of the pants that is marked to be tried on at the merchant location even though two different sizes of the pants are in the shopping cart. 
       FIG.  7    is a flow diagram of an example method  700  for processing an order at a merchant. In response to the transaction engine  208  processing the order, a notification is sent by the notification module  406  to the merchant(s) having the items in the order to process the order at the merchant location in operation  702 . The notification may be received by the merchant application  112  at the merchant system  108 . 
     In response to receiving the notification, the merchant (e.g., an employee of the merchant) gathers the item(s) in the order in operation  704 . The merchant determines, in operation  706 , whether any of the items are try on items. If there are try on items, the try on items are set aside (e.g., held) for the user in operation  708 . For example, the try on items may be placed in a dressing room. 
     The remainder of the items (e.g., non-try on items) are packaged for pickup in operation  710 . In one embodiment, the packaged items may be delivered to a locker for user pickup. In an alternative embodiment, the packaged up items may be delivered to another central location indicated by the order (e.g., a store central to all the merchants involved in a multi-merchant order). 
       FIG.  8    is a flow diagram of an example method  800  for upselling to a user. The method  800  may occur after the methods  600  and  700 . In operation  802 , a check-in of the user is received. In example embodiments, the user may manually indicate they are in the area of the merchant (e.g., check-in), or the shopper application  110  on the client device  106  may automatically check-in the user when the user is within a particular distance to the merchant (e.g., determined by GPS). The indication or check-in is received by the location module  306 , and notification of the user&#39;s presence can be provided by the notification module  408  to the merchant application  112  at the merchant system  108 . Ideally, the merchant will have the user&#39;s items packaged and any try on items ready for the user to try on. 
     In operation  804 , a determination is made as to whether the user is opted in to receive information from the merchant. Accordingly, the preference module  304  determines whether the user has indicated that they are willing to receiving promotions, sale, or other information from the merchant. 
     If the user has opted in to receive the information, then the preference module  304  instructs the consumer module  410  to transmit the information in operation  806 . As such, the consumer module  410  transmits information (e.g., promotions or recommendations) based on the user profile and user affinities. In one embodiment, the information is transmitted to store personnel. For example, information for the user is transmitted to a device (e.g., tablet that has a version of the merchant application  112 ) of an associate at the store. Alternatively, the information may be transmitted directly to the client device  106  of the user while the user is in or near the store. The information may include, for example, a recommendation of a particular brand, item, or types of items that the user likes that is available at the store (e.g. based on the inventory information maintained by the inventory module  402 ). Further still, the information may be related to items that the user has already purchased (e.g., that the user is there to pick up), related to an upcoming event (e.g., back to school), or related to individuals the user normally shops for (e.g., user&#39;s children). 
     In some embodiments, if the user is there to pick up an order that they had placed (e.g., via the shopper application  110 ), the information may indicate a discount if the user adds the recommended item to their order. Accordingly, the consumer module  410  provides targeted offers that are highly contextual to user while the user is in the store. 
     A determination is made in operation  808  as to whether the user accepts any offers, promotions, or recommendations. If the user accepts, then the item may be added to their order in operation  810  assuming the user is there to pick up the order. Alternatively, if the user is not at the merchant location to pick up an order, a new order may be created for the user. 
       FIG.  9    is a flow diagram of an example method  900  for processing an item collection order. The various operations of the method  900  may be performed by the merchant engine  204  in association with the collection engine  206 . An item collection may comprise a plurality of items that are compatible and may be ideal to be purchased together, especially in order to complete a project. The item collection may also include accessory items that are needed to complete a project, but that may be often forgotten by the user (e.g., tools). 
     In operation  902 , search parameters are received by the shopping module  404 . For example, the user may search for a sink and provide search parameters for the sink. Additionally, the user may indicate that they would like to install a new sink as part of a home improvement project. 
     In operation  904 , an item collection and corresponding options are determined. Accordingly, the shopping module  404  determines one or more item collections that contains at least one item that matches the search parameters received from the user. For example, the item collection may include a particular sink that the user indicated with the search parameters. The item collections may also include options for companion items (e.g., different style, color, material) or optional items. For example, options of companion items for the sink may include three different compatible styles or colors of faucets. Optional items may include items that are recommended but not necessary to complete the project. For example, particular tools needed to install a new sink are optional items. If the user already has these particular tools, the user can choose to not purchase these particular tools as part of the item collection. 
     Thus, in one embodiment, a user interface is presented to the user that illustrates the various items in the item collection along with selection fields (e.g., checkboxes). Items that are required or recommendation may be checked by default (e.g., sink, silicon tape, wrench). The user can uncheck any recommended items (e.g., optional items) that the user does not need (e.g., user already has wrench, so uncheck). Additionally, the user can select between different options for companion items (e.g., select one of the three compatible faucets). A determination is made in operation  908  as to whether selections of options (including optional items) are received. If selections are received, the (default) item collection is updated with the options in operation  910 . The user interface can be updated to illustrate the updated item collection (e.g., checkboxes checked and unchecked). 
     In operation  912 , a trigger is received to process the order. Thus, the shopping module  404  may receive the trigger. In some cases, a discount may be given if the user choses to purchase a certain amount of items in the collection (e.g., a bundle deal). 
     In response, the transaction engine  208  processes the order. In one embodiment, a notification of the order is transmitted to the one or more merchants selling the items so that the merchant(s) can package up the order for pickup by the user (e.g., in store, via a locker, via a central merchant for a plurality of merchants). In an alternative embodiment, the items in the order may be shipped to the user. 
     In some embodiments, the user is provided access to instructions upon purchase of the item collection. In the case where the item collection involves a project, such as a home improvement project, the instruction module  506  provides access to instructions for completing the project via a user interface of the client device  106 . The instructions may include a step-by-step tutorial on how to complete the project. In other embodiments, the user does not need to purchase the item collection in order to view the instructions. 
       FIG.  10    is a flow diagram of an example method  1000  for providing a local shopping opportunity. The method  1000  provides automated shopping opportunities based on a location of the user without any action by the user. In operation  1002 , a location of the user is detected. For example, a GPS device in the client device  106  may provide location information to the location module  306 . 
     User affinities are accessed in operation  1004 . Accordingly, the preference module  304  accesses user preference information from the database  126 . The user affinities are based on actions performed by the user such as browses and searches for items of interest, purchases made, items saved to a wishlist or watchlist, and items added to a cart but not purchased. 
     Shopping opportunities are identified in operation  1006 . Based on the location of the user, user affinities, and inventory for merchants in the same location, the shopping module  404  in conjunction with the consumer module  410  initiates a search for one or more of items that the user had expressed interest in, and determine whether those items are available at one of the local merchants within a predetermined distance to the location of the user. The predetermined distance may be a default distance or be set by the user. 
     In operation  1008 , the user is notified about the shopping opportunity. For example, if the user was searching for a particular item online, but did not purchase the item, and is now in a location within a predetermined distance to a nearby store that sells the same item, the shopping module  404  or consumer module  410  can transmit (or cause to be transmitted) a notification of the shopping opportunity (e.g., item information and an offer to purchase) to the client device  106 . The notification may include price, promotions, inventory, location of the item, and distance to the merchant location. A map may also be provided to illustrate a path to the merchant location or item location. 
     In operation  1010 , a determination is made as to whether an indication to purchase or hold the item is received from the user device  106 . For example, the item information is presented in an order interface on the client device  106  that allows the user to place an order for the item or have the item set aside for pickup. The indication is received by the shopping module  404 , and an order may be processed by the transaction engine  208 . 
     If the user selected to purchase or hold the item, the merchant is notified in operation  1012 . Accordingly, the notification module  406  transmits a notification to the merchant instructing the merchant to package the item up for pickup or to set the item aside as a hold or try on item. 
       FIG.  11    is a flow diagram of an example method  1100  for providing shopping trip planning. The method  1100  allows the user, via user interfaces provided to their client device  106 , to plan a shopping trip for one or more items. In operation  1102 , search parameters and a location of interest is received by the shopping module  404 . For example, the user may be interested in shopping a particular neighborhood, and may indicate that interested to the shopping module  404 . Alternatively, the location module  306  may detect a location that the user is currently at. 
     In operation  1104 , local merchants within a predetermined distance to the user location (or user indicated location of interest) are identified by the shopping application  1104 . The local merchants are merchants affiliated with the marketplace system  120  and have agreed to share information such as inventory with the marketplace system  120 . 
     The shopping module  404  then determines results that match the search parameters. The results include items from the local merchants identified in operation  1104  that are currently available based on the inventory information shared with the marketplace system  120 . The results are caused to be displayed on a user interface to the client device  106  (via the shopper application  110 ). The user interface may present the items along with a merchant location. In one embodiment, the items or merchant location are shown on a map on the user interface. 
     Based on the user selecting an item from the result, the selection is received in operation  1108  by the shopping module  404 . In response, the shopping module  404  may cause the map module  412  to place the item (or merchant location of the item) on a shopping trip planning map that will be transmitted to the user interface of the client device  106 . 
     A determination is made in operation  1110  as to whether another search is performed or a recommendation to be presented. In some embodiments, the shopper module  404  or consumer module  410  may provide recommendations based on user affinities or provide recommendations related to the selected item from operation  1108  (e.g., an accessory or companion item). If another search is performed or a recommendation to be presented, the method  1110  returns to operation  1106 . The shopping trip planning map may be continually updated with new selections and as the user device  106  changes location (e.g., as the user of the user device walks along a route on the shopping trip planning map). 
     Once the user has completed the search for items, the shopping trip planning map showing all selected items is caused to be presented on the client device  106  in operation  1112 . The shopping trip planning map may indicate a path to view or pick up all the items along with distances between the merchant locations and the user&#39;s location. In example embodiments, the map module  412  determines an optimal route or path for the user (e.g., based on distance, store hours, limited inventory), which the user can rearrange. 
     In operation  1114 , a determination is made as to whether the user rearranges the route. The user may remove items or merchant locations (e.g., by selecting and deleting nodes on the map representing the locations). The user may also move various nodes representing the locations to change a sequence of the route (e.g., go to Merchant B before Merchant A). If the user does rearrange the route, the map is updated and updated map is caused to be displayed in operation  1116 . 
       FIG.  12    is a flow diagram of an example  1200  method for providing shopping planning at a kiosk. The kiosk may comprise or be a part of the merchant system  108  or be a part of the marketplace place system  120 . Accordingly, the kiosk may include the merchant application  112  or one or more of the engines or modules of the marketplace system  120 . The kiosk may be located at a location of a particular merchant affiliated with the marketplace system  120 , and may be item or gift finder kiosk. 
     In some embodiments, the kiosk may be equipped with a camera to detect one or more individuals accessing the kiosk. If the kiosk detects that the individual is a child, the merchant application  112  may provide a game or other interface for the child. However, if the kiosk detects an adult, the kiosk may present a search interface that allows the adult user to find an item. 
     In operation  1202 , search parameters are received. The search parameters may be provided, for example, via a touchscreen on the kiosk. In one embodiment, the shopping module  404  may cause presentation of the search interface on the kiosk that comprises a questionnaire (e.g., gender, age, price range). The user provides answers to the questionnaire which, in turn, are the search parameters. 
     In operation  1204 , results are determined and caused to be displayed to the user. Accordingly, the shopping module  202  takes the location of the user (e.g., the store the user is in) along with the search parameters and determine available inventory in the store that match the search parameters. The results are then presented on the screen of the kiosk. 
     A selection of an item from the results is received in operation  1206 . For example, the user may select, via the touchscreen, an item that the user wants to buy. In response, an in-store map of a location of the item is displayed on the kiosk by the map module  412  in operation  1208 . 
     The user may desire to have the map and item location uploaded to their client device  106 . As such, the user requests the map in operation  1210 . For example, a code (e.g., QR code) may be displayed on the kiosk, and the user scans the code to upload the map to the client device  106 . Alternatively, the user may enter an identifier of the client device  106  (e.g., phone number of the smartphone) into the kiosk. 
     In operation  1212 , the map is transmitted to the client device  106 . In the case where the user provides an identifier of the client device  106 , the map may be sent, for example, via text or e-mail to the client device  106 . 
     According to various example embodiments, one or more of the methodologies described herein may facilitate completion of a transaction for an item based on known merchant inventory, user affinities, and location of the user. As such, one or more of the methodologies described herein may obviate a need for certain efforts or resources that otherwise would be involved in searching for items. Computing resources used by one or more machines, databases, or devices (e.g., within the network environment  100 ) may be reduced. Examples of such computing resources include processor cycles, network traffic, memory usage, data storage capacity, power consumption, and cooling capacity. 
       FIG.  13    is a block diagram illustrating components of a machine  1300 , according to some example embodiments, able to read instructions  1324  from a machine-readable medium  1322  (e.g., a non-transitory machine-readable medium, a machine-readable storage medium, a computer-readable storage medium, or any suitable combination thereof) and perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein, in whole or in part. Specifically,  FIG.  13    shows the machine  1300  in the example form of a computer system (e.g., a computer) within which the instructions  1324  (e.g., software, a program, an application, an applet, an app, or other executable code) for causing the machine  1300  to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein may be executed, in whole or in part. 
     In alternative embodiments, the machine  1300  operates as a standalone device or may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine  1300  may operate in the capacity of a server machine or a client machine in a server-client network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The machine  1300  may be a server computer, a client computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a netbook, a set-top box (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a smartphone, a web appliance, a network router, a network switch, a network bridge, or any machine capable of executing the instructions  1324 , sequentially or otherwise, that specify actions to be taken by that machine. Further, while only a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include a collection of machines that individually or jointly execute the instructions  1324  to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein. 
     The machine  1300  includes a processor  1302  (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a radio-frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), or any suitable combination thereof), a main memory  1304 , and a static memory  1306 , which are configured to communicate with each other via a bus  1308 . The processor  1302  may contain microcircuits that are configurable, temporarily or permanently, by some or all of the instructions  1324  such that the processor  1302  is configurable to perform any one or more of the methodologies described herein, in whole or in part. For example, a set of one or more microcircuits of the processor  1302  may be configurable to execute one or more modules (e.g., software modules) described herein. 
     The machine  1300  may further include a graphics display  1310  (e.g., a plasma display panel (PDP), a light emitting diode (LED) display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a projector, a cathode ray tube (CRT), or any other display capable of displaying graphics or video). The machine  1300  may also include an input device  1312  (e.g., a keyboard or keypad), a cursor control device  1314  (e.g., a mouse, a touchpad, a trackball, a joystick, a motion sensor, an eye tracking device, or other pointing instrument), a storage unit  1316 , a signal generation device  1318  (e.g., a sound card, an amplifier, a speaker, a headphone jack, or any suitable combination thereof), and a network interface device  1320 . 
     The storage unit  1316  includes the machine-readable medium  1322  (e.g., a tangible and non-transitory machine-readable storage medium) on which are stored the instructions  1324  embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein. The instructions  1324  may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory  1304 , within the processor  1302  (e.g., within the processor&#39;s cache memory), or both, before or during execution thereof by the machine  1300 . Accordingly, the main memory  1304  and the processor  1302  may be considered machine-readable media (e.g., tangible and non-transitory machine-readable media). 
     In some example embodiments, the machine  1300  may be a portable computing device, such as a smart phone or tablet computer, and have one or more additional input components (e.g., sensors or gauges). Examples of such input components include an image input component (e.g., one or more cameras), an audio input component (e.g., a microphone), a direction input component (e.g., a compass), a location input component (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) receiver), an orientation component (e.g., a gyroscope), a motion detection component (e.g., one or more accelerometers), an altitude detection component (e.g., an altimeter), and a gas detection component (e.g., a gas sensor). Inputs harvested by any one or more of these input components may be accessible and available for use by any of the modules described herein. 
     As used herein, the term “memory” refers to a machine-readable medium able to store data temporarily or permanently and may be taken to include, but not be limited to, random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), buffer memory, flash memory, and cache memory. While the machine-readable medium  1322  is shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, or associated caches and servers) able to store instructions. The term “machine-readable medium” shall also be taken to include any medium, or combination of multiple media, that is capable of storing instructions for execution by a machine (e.g., machine  1300 ), such that the instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the machine (e.g., processor  1302 ), cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies described herein. Accordingly, a “machine-readable medium” refers to a single storage apparatus or device, as well as “cloud-based” storage systems or storage networks that include multiple storage apparatus or devices. The term “machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to, one or more data repositories in the form of a solid-state memory, an optical medium, a magnetic medium, or any suitable combination thereof. 
     Furthermore, the tangible machine-readable medium is non-transitory in that it does not embody a propagating signal. However, labeling the tangible machine-readable medium as “non-transitory” should not be construed to mean that the medium is incapable of movement—the medium should be considered as being transportable from one physical location to another. Additionally, since the machine-readable medium is tangible, the medium may be considered to be a machine-readable device. 
     The instructions  1324  may further be transmitted or received over a communications network  1326  using a transmission medium via the network interface device  1320  and utilizing any one of a number of well-known transfer protocols (e.g., HTTP). Examples of communication networks include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, mobile telephone networks, plain old telephone service (POTS) networks, and wireless data networks (e.g., WiFi, LTE, and WiMAX networks). The term “transmission medium” shall be taken to include any intangible medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying instructions for execution by the machine, and includes digital or analog communications signals or other intangible medium to facilitate communication of such software. 
     Throughout this specification, plural instances may implement components, operations, or structures described as a single instance. Although individual operations of one or more methods are illustrated and described as separate operations, one or more of the individual operations may be performed concurrently, and nothing requires that the operations be performed in the order illustrated. Structures and functionality presented as separate components in example configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single component may be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of the subject matter herein. 
     Certain embodiments are described herein as including logic or a number of components, modules, or mechanisms. Modules may constitute either software modules (e.g., code embodied on a machine-readable medium or in a transmission signal) or hardware modules. A “hardware module” is a tangible unit capable of performing certain operations and may be configured or arranged in a certain physical manner. In various example embodiments, one or more computer systems (e.g., a standalone computer system, a client computer system, or a server computer system) or one or more hardware modules of a computer system (e.g., a processor or a group of processors) may be configured by software (e.g., an application or application portion) as a hardware module that operates to perform certain operations as described herein. 
     In some embodiments, a hardware module may be implemented mechanically, electronically, or any suitable combination thereof. For example, a hardware module may include dedicated circuitry or logic that is permanently configured to perform certain operations. For example, a hardware module may be a special-purpose processor, such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or an ASIC. A hardware module may also include programmable logic or circuitry that is temporarily configured by software to perform certain operations. For example, a hardware module may include software encompassed within a general-purpose processor or other programmable processor. It will be appreciated that the decision to implement a hardware module mechanically, in dedicated and permanently configured circuitry, or in temporarily configured circuitry (e.g., configured by software) may be driven by cost and time considerations. 
     Accordingly, the phrase “hardware module” should be understood to encompass a tangible entity, be that an entity that is physically constructed, permanently configured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarily configured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a certain manner or to perform certain operations described herein. As used herein, “hardware-implemented module” refers to a hardware module. Considering embodiments in which hardware modules are temporarily configured (e.g., programmed), each of the hardware modules need not be configured or instantiated at any one instance in time. For example, where a hardware module comprises a general-purpose processor configured by software to become a special-purpose processor, the general-purpose processor may be configured as respectively different special-purpose processors (e.g., comprising different hardware modules) at different times. Software may accordingly configure a processor, for example, to constitute a particular hardware module at one instance of time and to constitute a different hardware module at a different instance of time. 
     Hardware modules can provide information to, and receive information from, other hardware modules. Accordingly, the described hardware modules may be regarded as being communicatively coupled. Where multiple hardware modules exist contemporaneously, communications may be achieved through signal transmission (e.g., over appropriate circuits and buses) between or among two or more of the hardware modules. In embodiments in which multiple hardware modules are configured or instantiated at different times, communications between such hardware modules may be achieved, for example, through the storage and retrieval of information in memory structures to which the multiple hardware modules have access. For example, one hardware module may perform an operation and store the output of that operation in a memory device to which it is communicatively coupled. A further hardware module may then, at a later time, access the memory device to retrieve and process the stored output. Hardware modules may also initiate communications with input or output devices, and can operate on a resource (e.g., a collection of information). 
     The various operations of example methods described herein may be performed, at least partially, by one or more processors that are temporarily configured (e.g., by software) or permanently configured to perform the relevant operations. Whether temporarily or permanently configured, such processors may constitute processor-implemented modules that operate to perform one or more operations or functions described herein. As used herein, “processor-implemented module” refers to a hardware module implemented using one or more processors. 
     Similarly, the methods described herein may be at least partially processor-implemented, a processor being an example of hardware. For example, at least some of the operations of a method may be performed by one or more processors or processor-implemented modules. Moreover, the one or more processors may also operate to support performance of the relevant operations in a “cloud computing” environment or as a “software as a service” (SaaS). For example, at least some of the operations may be performed by a group of computers (as examples of machines including processors), with these operations being accessible via a network (e.g., the Internet) and via one or more appropriate interfaces (e.g., an application program interface (API)). 
     The performance of certain of the operations may be distributed among the one or more processors, not only residing within a single machine, but deployed across a number of machines. In some example embodiments, the one or more processors or processor-implemented modules may be located in a single geographic location (e.g., within a home environment, an office environment, or a server farm). In other example embodiments, the one or more processors or processor-implemented modules may be distributed across a number of geographic locations. 
     Some portions of the subject matter discussed herein may be presented in terms of algorithms or symbolic representations of operations on data stored as bits or binary digital signals within a machine memory (e.g., a computer memory). Such algorithms or symbolic representations are examples of techniques used by those of ordinary skill in the data processing arts to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. As used herein, an “algorithm” is a self-consistent sequence of operations or similar processing leading to a desired result. In this context, algorithms and operations involve physical manipulation of physical quantities. Typically, but not necessarily, such quantities may take the form of electrical, magnetic, or optical signals capable of being stored, accessed, transferred, combined, compared, or otherwise manipulated by a machine. It is convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to such signals using words such as “data,” “content,” “bits,” “values,” “elements,” “symbols,” “characters,” “terms,” “numbers,” “numerals,” or the like. These words, however, are merely convenient labels and are to be associated with appropriate physical quantities. 
     Unless specifically stated otherwise, discussions herein using words such as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” “presenting,” “displaying,” or the like may refer to actions or processes of a machine (e.g., a computer) that manipulates or transforms data represented as physical (e.g., electronic, magnetic, or optical) quantities within one or more memories (e.g., volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or any suitable combination thereof), registers, or other machine components that receive, store, transmit, or display information. Furthermore, unless specifically stated otherwise, the terms “a” or “an” are herein used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one instance. Finally, as used herein, the conjunction “or” refers to a non-exclusive “or,” unless specifically stated otherwise. 
     Although an overview of the inventive subject matter has been described with reference to specific example embodiments, various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of embodiments of the present invention. Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein, individually or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept if more than one is, in fact, disclosed. 
     The embodiments illustrated herein are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the teachings disclosed. Other embodiments may be used and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The Detailed Description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various embodiments is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 
     As used herein, the term “or” may be construed in either an inclusive or exclusive sense. Moreover, plural instances may be provided for resources, operations, or structures described herein as a single instance. Additionally, boundaries between various resources, operations, modules, engines, and data stores are somewhat arbitrary, and particular operations are illustrated in a context of specific illustrative configurations. Other allocations of functionality are envisioned and may fall within a scope of various embodiments of the present invention. In general, structures and functionality presented as separate resources in the example configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or resource. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single resource may be implemented as separate resources. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements fall within a scope of embodiments of the present invention as represented by the appended claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.