In the marketing of certain types of products such as cosmetics, it can be difficult for a customer to select which of a wide variety of available items is most appropriate. For example, the particular facial makeup base which is appropriate may depend upon the oilyness of a person's skin and the particular color of skin, and yet many persons may not know what terms best describe the oilyness or color of his or her skin, or how to select an appropriate makeup base even if they could describe it. Even if a manual were provided, many customers shopping in stores will not wish to expend the mental effort in looking up conditions, noting down the most appropriate ones, and correlating this to particular products. However, such customers will spend the required time to merely select their characteristics if very little effort is required on their part, and if the apparatus operates in an interesting manner. A merchandising terminal which could aid customers in selecting the most appropriate products, in situations where the selection may depend on several factors or upon difficult-to-describe situations, would be of value in merchandising such products, which may include not only cosmetics, but other products as well.