Last month, Google announced the expansion of its Google Express service to the East Coast of the U.S., now covering 90% of the national territory.
Google Express seeks to compete with Amazon Prime in partnership with local stores to bring goods to your doorstep at record delivery times.
Google Express plans to consolidate its stance as a matching competitor to Amazon Prime by the end of the year. By that time, Google expects to cover all the continental territory in the United States.
The e-commerce and delivery platform by Google will only get bigger, so it is worth reviewing what it is exactly, how it works, with which stores it works, and how it compares to its biggest rival.
Gadgets for working, running, dancing, and playing. https://t.co/oCLfKsZO8s pic.twitter.com/8m7YGOKiWB
— Google Express (@googleexpress) November 30, 2016
What is Google Express and how does it work?
According to the website, “Google Express is an online marketplace that connects shoppers with popular retailers.” The company delivers not only electronics but also pantry staples including bread and cereal.
Consumers can use Google Express with a membership or not, although being a member gets you free delivery on certain orders.
Users just need to visit the Google Express site, enter their zip code, and the platform will show them a wide array of products available from local stores.
From there, they just have to add items to their cart, choose a day and time of delivery, and complete the purchase with Google Payments. Google Express can deliver the same day, or it can take as long as three days but no more.
Which stores work with Google Express?
45 stores work with Google Express nationwide, including industry leaders in the grocery area, home and garden, electronics, toys, health and beauty, and even pet supplies.
Some of the shops that work with Google Express include Barnes & Noble, Bed Bath & Beyond, Costco, Fry’s Electronics, Guitar Center, Kohl’s, Nine West, Payless Shoesource, PetSmart, Staples, Sur La Table, Target, Toys R Us, Walgreens, and Whole Foods.
Amazon Prime vs. Google Express: price and delivery times
A study conducted by the NBC affiliate WFLA compared the services from both Google Express and Amazon Prime. The news station ordered the same items, but got different results from the competing companies.
First off, the annual membership for Amazon Prime costs $99 while the same subscription to Google Express costs $95. For non-members, order shipping starts at $8.99 with Amazon and $4.99 with Google.
The channel team ordered the same three items from the same store using the two services: the totals came up at $37.10 with Google Express versus $43.26 under Amazon Prime, both after taxes and shipping costs.
Finally, WFLA received the entire order from Google Express in just two days, but Amazon Prime delivered only one of the three goods in the same period. The remaining items came a day later on the third day since the purchase.
All in all, experiences with online retail may vary depending on the location, but it is always worth considering other options when it comes to savings while shopping.
