1. A network CS comprising: a central CS including a central CS database; at least a first RS CS including a first RS CS database, for at least accounting for inventory in a first RS; wherein said first RS CS database stores a RS PID specification, wherein said RS PID specification includes at least an association between product identifications and descriptions of corresponding products having said product identifications; and wherein said first RS CS database stores first RS CS transaction data for a first set of transactions; wherein said central CS database stores transaction data for said first set of transactions in a reduced PID tag set specification; wherein said reduced PID tag set specification specifies a number of PID tags identifying products in the tagged format specification that is less than the number of PIDs for products contained in RS POS CSs PID specification.