The software allows the user to store his or her preferences in a personal shopping list, which may be altered, adding or deleting items as deemed necessary with each e-visit. Across the various provider’s, the software also usually allows consumer comparison; for example, the SKUs in a particular category may be sorted by brand name, by price, by value (price per ounce, for example), by what is on “feature” (sale and point of purchase promotions), by various dietetic goals (such as “healthy,” “low fat”), and so on. The user may write in “notes,” to specify in more detail, for example, “Please pick up green (unripe) bananas, not yellow ones,” or, “If Fancy Feast is out of beef, please get turkey instead.” which instruct the professional shopper as to the user’s particular preferences. Categories of items that can be purchased are continually expanding, from foods to drugstore items and other merchandise.