Thumbwheel selection system

A system and method for use in retail stores for selecting, previewing, and purchasing music or other products is provided. The graphical information system (2) provides a user with the ability to locate products through an interface that combines the use of mechanical wheels (6a-d) with a touch screen (4) whereby rotation of the mechanical wheels, or thumbwheels, appears on screen to rotate a series of mechanical type drums (100, 102 and 104). The system provides a user with the functionality and entertainment value of a kiosk coupled with a powerful method of selecting products from a large catalog using thumbwheels in conjunction with a hierarchical graphical user interface tailored for the specific retail environment.