a shopping server proposal system includes a mechanism that enhances the online retailer &# 39 ; s existing database system with the necessary information to provide the desired services . the existing catalog of items is analyzed based on a set of predefined rules for a given retail store . this analysis determines which of the items in the catalog are related to other items in the catalog . the result of this analysis includes new relations of the catalog items that are written into the retailer &# 39 ; s existing database system . the mechanism for assembling this information , based on a set of predefined rules , is independent of the retailer or the retailer &# 39 ; s industry . the provides retail businesses with a competitive edge by enabling them to offer automated shopping advice to solve the shoppers &# 39 ; problems of finding related and matching items , and by providing a list of related items based on the selected item &# 39 ; s properties .