Help with sorting and storing data on WordPress

Why do you want to go for a custom MYSQL database altogether?
You can simply use custom post types for products. Please check http://codex.wordpress.org/Post_Types You can add images, custom fields such as review, ratings etc.

There are many plugins that can help you create custom post types easily.
https://wordpress.org/plugins/custom-post-type-ui/
https://premium.wpmudev.org/project/custompress/

There is another plugin you can use to create a products catalog.
Check this: https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-catalogue/

Thanks,
Faizan