Google Express Expands to 13 More States

Google isn't just sitting by and allowing Amazon to expand Prime nationwide without implementing a Same-Day Delivery program of its' own. Now, Google has announced that it is going to expand too, right before the holiday shopping season begins.

USA Today recently reported Google Express is now available in 13 more states, as it seeks to gain momentum and compete on a more aggressive scale with Amazon. The new states will include Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, Utah, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Wyoming and Washington. The Midwestern states of Montana and Wyoming aren't two of the most popular states that same-day delivery is heavily established in. Yet, with the type of retail partners that Google has, these big name retailers have store locations in practically every state. As the holiday season approaches, sales will be high and Google Express may be profitable.

Google Express General Manager Brian Elliott said in an interview with The Tennessean, “We think of ourselves as a technology platform because that’s what we’re really good at. We’re trying to build a platform that lots of merchants can participate in.” Google partners include retail leaders like Costco, Whole Foods Market, Kohl’s, PetSmart, Road Runner Sports, Sur La Table, Fry’s, Walgreens, L’Occitane, Payless ShoeSource and Guitar Center. All of these retailers have taken on the strategy of creating effective omnichannels to bridge the gap between e-commerce and physical store sales. In today's business climate, this emerging trend could be what helps store retailers, especially malls, actually survive and thrive.

Elliott also talked about in the article how Google Express is beneficial to the very customers that shop at these stores. He stated, “At Google Express, our job is to make people’s lives easier. What we really are trying to do here is make it easier to shop from merchants you love”. Online retail is projected to grow $500 billion by 2018 and there is a reason why. Customers are comfortable with shopping online and enjoy the convenience of being able to buy online from anywhere. Coupled with same-day delivery, online retail is and will continue to exceed growth expectations.

Just in October alone, Google has 14 states where their express service is available. Earlier this month, Google Express was launched in New York, a key big city for holiday shopping. Now, roughly 70 million people in all of these states, including the tri-state areas, and Google appears to picking up the pace to challenge Amazon at its' own game.

This shows that same-day delivery is no longer a trend, but a viable option to compete online. Retailers can partner with Same-Day Courier like A-1 Express that can get your store items to your customer's front door in no time. From your retail store or business location, the Chicago Courier can pick up and deliver nationwide, creating the same-day delivery solution that you're looking for. Google has expanded this month, and the question will be will the e-retail leader take its' program into other states as well.

Reference: 10.25.16, USA Today, Lizzy Alfs and Brad Harper, Google Express adds delivery service to 13 more states