You could build the product list using the Property Agent module from Ventrian Systems.  

It is very powerful and flexible.  You could modify the templates for the view, which can handle the alternate bordering, and layouts.   For the end user, maintaining the product is then very easy to do, where they would not even see any coding when adding, changing or removing products.   If you are not too far into development, it may save you a great deal of time.  Ventrain Systems