Data mining systems and methods are disclosed for generating data that is
helpful to users in selecting between items represented in an electronic
data repository, such as an electronic catalog. One disclosed data mining
method generates pairwise comparison data for particular pairs of items.
The pairwise comparison data for a given item pair reveals the degree to
which users who consider both items in the pair select one item over the
other. The pairwise comparison data may be appropriately exposed to users
of the electronic repository. For instance, in the context of an
electronic catalog, an item detail page for item A may be supplemented
with an indication that users who view both item A and item B select item
B a specified percentage of the time. Another data mining method uses
item viewing histories and item purchase histories of users in
combination to identify pairs of items that are good candidates for being
recommended in combination.