News

Google exploring delivery options

December 4, 2011

Google is working on a delivery service to allow consumers to order items from local stores on the Web and receive them at their homes or offices within a day.

The service is in an early testing phase, according to the NY Times, and was described by three people who were briefed on the project who were not authorized to speak about it publicly. Google is hoping to help consumers buy things instead of simply helping them locate items, info and services.

Other parts of this strategy include Google Wallet for making mobile payments, Google Offers for daily deals and apps that show location-based mobile ads.

The idea behind the new service is that people could not only search for products using Google, but also purchase and get them delivered via Google.

According to the article, Google won't build stores or warehouses or become a retailer itself. Instead, it may take on possible partners to carry out those services.

The service is the latest example of how the biggest tech companies — including Google, Apple and Amazon — are trying to branch out and, in the process, blurring the lines between their core businesses.

Read more about multi-channel retailing.