BeeLine Shopper Enhances Loyalty & Nutrition Program With Information Resources Inc. UPC Dictionary for Home Scanning.

Business Editors

TROY, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 21, 2000

BeeLine Shopper has enhanced its consumer information service for grocery shoppers by cross-referencing Information Resources Inc.'s 5 million UPC (barcode) database including both branded and private label products.

Consumers can now scan virtually any grocery product that has been sold in America and be given an instant nutritional product recommendation for a comparable product or national brand sold at their favorite store that is on special, has an Internet coupon or better fits the consumers' nutritional profile .

"We have merged IRI's massive UPC database with the world's largest collection of nutri-facts to help BeeLine Shopper consumers identify and purchase healthier alternatives. Our patented process takes the drudgery out of planning and shopping for groceries," said William Heckle, BeeLine Shopper's Chief Technology Officer.

"Consumers can also scan any coupon found in a newspaper or magazine, and have a reminder printed on her shopping list; listing the coupon value and what product(s) it can be used for. This automatic process increases coupon redemption rates and encourages coupon usage," said Leib Lurie, President, BeeLine Shopper.

"Information Resources, is delighted that BeeLine has incorporated our UPC data dictionary and coupon code data (Family Scan(TM)) in conjunction with their nutri-facts database and grocer promotions to help consumers make grocery purchase decisions in real-time. BeeLine's innovative, real-time use of data previously used by the grocers and manufacturers for historic analysis has tremendous opportunity to provide consumer's a real, tangible benefit both on-line and off-line," said Howard Cohn, EVP e.Ventures for IRI.

"Manufacturers get unprecedented targeting based PRECISELY on what consumers are planning to buy today. Grocers get a bigger basket by leveraging the unique ability to communicate with their best customers before every shopping trip with personalized messages integrated into the weekly shopping list. BeeLine works with existing grocer technology and requires no new in-store or back-office technology investment," continued Lurie.

About BeeLine Shopper

BeeLine Shopper offers a simple, home bar-code scanning system that helps families shop faster, eat healthier and save more money when planning and shopping for groceries either at traditional supermarkets or web grocery sites.

BeeLine Shopper home scanners are available through the BeeLine Shopper web site and through an expanding network of selected grocery store partners. BeeLine's home shopping system will be available this fall in many web grocer sites as well. Consumers may try home scanning risk free for 60 days; and then continue the service, which offers significant weekly savings, specials, and more for a subscription price of less than 48 cents a week with 100% satisfaction guaranteed.