A method and apparatus for processing transactions. In particular, the mechanism of the present invention is used for processing information for physical transactions. A data structure is received at a customer data processing system for a physical transaction entered into by the customer. This information is extracted and used to update records or other information in the customer data processing system. Further, a second data structure is sent to a supplier of an item used in the physical transaction. This data structure is used by the supplier to update information maintained by the supplier about the item. After updating the information, the information is analyzed to generate statistics about physical transactions involving the item.