A computer-implemented method of managing inventory and transactions in a checkout-free store, the method comprising: receiving, at an application module executing on a user computing device, an inventory list including item data corresponding to each item in the checkout-free store; loading, into a virtual shopping cart of the application module, item data corresponding to one or more selected items from the inventory list; sending, by the application module, a transaction command to a container communications device responsive to receiving the selection of items corresponding to item data in the inventory list, wherein the container communications device is communicably coupled to a store container for carrying items while in the checkout-free store; sending, by one or more of the application module and the container communications device, the transaction command to an in-store computer system responsive to receiving the transaction command at the container communications device; in response to receiving the transaction command, sending, by a transaction module of the in-store computer system, a deactivation command to the container communications device indicating purchase of the selection of items in the checkout-free store, wherein each of the items comprises an item communications device (122A-126A) that is not reprogrammable; disassociating, from the virtual shopping cart, a selected item of the one or more selected items from the inventory list using a user interface of the application module; responsive to the disassociating, sending a further transaction command from the application module to the in-store computer system indicating return of the selected item; determining, by the in-store computer, whether there is a match between the item data in the virtual shopping cart and items in the container; and causing, by the application module, a payment processing computer system to send payment data to the in-store computer system for the items associated with the virtual cart. receiving, at an application module executing on a user computing device, an inventory list including item data corresponding to each item in the checkout-free store; loading, into a virtual shopping cart of the application module, item data corresponding to one or more selected items from the inventory list; sending, by the application module, a transaction command to a container communications device responsive to receiving the selection of items corresponding to item data in the inventory list, wherein the container communications device is communicably coupled to a store container for carrying items while in the checkout-free store; sending, by one or more of the application module and the container communications device, the transaction command to an in-store computer system responsive to receiving the transaction command at the container communications device; in response to receiving the transaction command, sending, by a transaction module of the in-store computer system, a deactivation command to the container communications device indicating purchase of the selection of items in the checkout-free store, wherein each of the items comprises an item communications device (122A-126A) that is not reprogrammable; disassociating, from the virtual shopping cart, a selected item of the one or more selected items from the inventory list using a user interface of the application module; responsive to the disassociating, sending a further transaction command from the application module to the in-store computer system indicating return of the selected item; determining, by the in-store computer, whether there is a match between the item data in the virtual shopping cart and items in the container; and causing, by the application module, a payment processing computer system to send payment data to the in-store computer system for the items associated with the virtual cart.