Google Express Delivery Service Launches In Boston, Coming To Other Cities To Take On Amazon
There was a time when 2-day shipping felt like magic, and next-day shipping was pretty much wizardry. But, as it so happens, even that wasn't good enough for some. So, same-day shipping options were born, and now outfits such as Amazon and Google are testing drone-based deliveries to get more products into more hands in less time. For now, we're still using flesh and blood citizens to make super speedy deliveries happen, and if you live in Boston, instant gratification is en route.
Google has announced that its Google Express service will become available this week in parts of Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Somerville, Arlington, Everett, Malden, and Medford. At present, eight companies have signed on to support the service, with those being: Babies R Us, Barnes & Noble, Costco, Guitar Center, L’Occitane, Staples, Stop & Shop, and Walgreens. Essentially, these outfits have major physical stores in the area, which makes it easier to get a product from a shelf, into a bag or box, and on its way to a local address. It works a bit like a courier, but established by Google.
Those interested in taking Google up on it can pony up $95/year or $10/month, and then deliveries over $15 will be free. Or, if you aren't the type who likes to indulge on same-day deliveries, there's a $4.99 per order charge with no recurring fee.
The expansion into Boston is just one piece of the puzzle: what started in San Francisco has now spread to Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington, D.C. Clearly people are jumping on it, as Google Express seems to find a new home every few months. One has to wonder how long it'll be before even mom-and-pop retailers support the service. In a sense, this is the avenue back to the limelight for brick-and-mortar stores who have felt left out by the online ordering revolution.
Google has announced that its Google Express service will become available this week in parts of Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Somerville, Arlington, Everett, Malden, and Medford. At present, eight companies have signed on to support the service, with those being: Babies R Us, Barnes & Noble, Costco, Guitar Center, L’Occitane, Staples, Stop & Shop, and Walgreens. Essentially, these outfits have major physical stores in the area, which makes it easier to get a product from a shelf, into a bag or box, and on its way to a local address. It works a bit like a courier, but established by Google.
Those interested in taking Google up on it can pony up $95/year or $10/month, and then deliveries over $15 will be free. Or, if you aren't the type who likes to indulge on same-day deliveries, there's a $4.99 per order charge with no recurring fee.
The expansion into Boston is just one piece of the puzzle: what started in San Francisco has now spread to Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington, D.C. Clearly people are jumping on it, as Google Express seems to find a new home every few months. One has to wonder how long it'll be before even mom-and-pop retailers support the service. In a sense, this is the avenue back to the limelight for brick-and-mortar stores who have felt left out by the online ordering revolution.
