Commerce Blog
The official blog for the latest news from Google Commerce
Enjoy a summer of free wi-fi in NYC, courtesy of Google Offers
6/25/12
Since launching Google Offers in NYC
a year ago
, we’ve worked with hundreds of local businesses to bring great deals to New Yorkers who want to make the most of their city. This summer, we’re excited to bring another great deal to New York City: free
Boingo
Wi-Fi in subway stations and Boingo hotzones across Manhattan. People can surf the Internet, or discover great local deals from Google Offers, while they’re waiting at the subway platform or enjoying summertime in the Big Apple.
Starting today through September 7th, anyone can access Boingo Wi-Fi for free at six New York City subway stations:
A, C, E station at Eighth Avenue and West 14th Street
L station at Eighth Avenue and West 14th Street
C, E station at Eighth Avenue and West 23rd Street
1, 2, 3 station at Seventh Avenue and West 14th Street
F, M station at Sixth Avenue and West 14th Street
L station at Sixth Avenue and West 14th Street
To stay connected above ground, Google Offers is also sponsoring free Wi-Fi at more than 200 Boingo hotzones across Manhattan.
To subscribe to Google Offers, please visit:
www.google.com/offers
. And follow the Google NYC twitter handle (@GoogleNYC) for more details on where you can find free Wi-Fi.
Posted by Jennifer Karakkal, Product Marketing Manager, Google Offers
Make your Earth Day blossom with 50% off wildflower seeds from American Meadows
4/20/12
Earth Day
only comes once a year, but you can show the planet some love every day,
starting with your own backyard
. Today through Sunday we’re running
a special Google Offer
with online gardening retailer,
AmericanMeadows.com
: $5 gets you $10 worth of mixed wildflower seeds (more than 50,000 seeds!), specially designed for
Google Offers
customers in honor of Earth Day. As a bonus you’ll also get two veggie or herb seed packs.
Click
here
to buy this deal now!
This GMO-free wildflower seed assortment includes twenty-five varieties of brilliant blossoms—like Cosmos, Poppies, and Hollyhocks—with both quick-blooming annuals for a splash of summer color and hardy perennials that’ll flower year after year. Not blessed with a green thumb? Don’t wilt; this mix is easy-to-grow and will flourish in all parts of the country, be it in a pot or in your garden.
Head outdoors and plant something new!
To subscribe to
Google Offers
, please visit:
www.google.com/offers
. And follow our
Google+ Page
for news and updates from the Google Offers team.
Posted by Andrew Textor, Sr. Account Manager, Google Offers
Get Google Offers straight from your browser with the new Google Offers Chrome extension
4/17/12
Today we are announcing
the Google Offers Chrome extension
. The extension helps you keep tabs on great deals from Google Offers as well as from our partners such as Gilt City, kgbdeals and zozi.
Download the new Google Offers Chrome extension today from the
Chrome Web Store
.
After downloading the extension you’ll get instant access to deals for places to eat, shop and play, and you’ll receive notifications for new deals in your area right within your browser. You can also share your favorite deals with friends on Google+, Twitter and Facebook from the Chrome extension.
Check out
www.chrome.google.com/webstore
to learn more and download the Google Offers Chrome extension. This Chrome extension is currently available in the U.S.
Posted by Eren Kantarli, Product Marketing Manager, Google Offers
And that makes 40! Google Offers launches in Oklahoma City and Omaha
2/7/12
Today,
Google Offers
is rolling out in two new locations,
Oklahoma City
and
Omaha
. Not only are we excited to bring high-quality, personalized deals to these awesome cities, but today’s announcement also marks a special milestone for us: In just 251 days, Google Offers has gone from one to 40 cities across the U.S.!
In the eight months since
our launch in Portland
, we’ve worked with locally loved businesses and popular national brands to bring you the very best deals out there. And we’re continuing this M.O. with two great offers for our newest cities. Here’s the scoop:
Oklahoma City: $10 for $20 of American fare at Louie’s Grill and Bar
Besides your own living room, few places are comfortable enough to kick back with a plate of queso-smothered nachos while watching the big game. Enter
Louie’s Grill and Bar
, where the service is friendly, the food sticks to your ribs and nothing on the menu is over $10. With today’s inaugural
Google Offer
in OKC, enjoy $10 for $20 of American-fare at one of Louie’s Grill and Bar’s
twelve locations
in the Oklahoma City area.
Dig in to a 100% Angus burger ($8) at Louie’s Grill and Bar
Omaha: $8 for one ticket to an upcoming Nebraska Huskers Men’s Basketball game
Sure, shouting at the TV seems satisfying, but there’s nothing like lending your lungs to a crowd thousands deep. Join thousands of fans to watch the
Nebraska Huskers
take on their rivals in the Big Ten: $8 gets you one ticket to see the Huskers take on the Illinois Fighting Illini ($20 value) on
February 18th
OR the Iowa Hawkeyes on
February 29th
($15 value). Don’t miss out: these are the big games before the Big Ten Tournament!
Cheer on Big Red in the new Devaney Center!
Check out
www.google.com/offers
to learn more and subscribe to Google Offers! Also be sure to check out our
Google Offers mobile app for Android
so you can get access to great deals on the go.
Posted by Eric Rosenblum, Director of Product Management, Google Offers
Valentine’s Day deals you’ll love, for the one you love, from Google Offers
2/1/12
As Valentine’s Day approaches, the thoughts of some turn to romance and celebrating that special someone in your life. The thoughts of others turn to the sometimes arduous and often expensive task of buying a gift that truly conveys what that someone means to you. Relax,
Google Offers
is here to help with three national deals that form the triumvirate of Valentine’s Day - flowers, jewelry, and chocolate.
Flowers from 1-800-Flowers
In 1976, Jim McCann opened his first
1-800-Flowers
store (then called “Flora Plenty”) and in the 35 years since launch, 1-800-Flowers has been delivering smiles ever since. And boy, do they have an
offer for you
today: you can send two dozen fresh roses delivered to the door of your choice -- perfect for Valentine’s Day, or just because. 1-800-Flowers will even include a beautiful, crystal clear vase and free standard shipping. All this for only for $44.99. That’s 43% off! What a bunch of hopeless romantics...
Jewelry from Gemvara.com
From its customer service, to its selection, to its focus on personalization,
Gemvara
is changing the way its customers shop for jewelry online. And to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, the company is taking some of the intimidation out of buying jewelry by
offering $50 for $150 toward custom jewelry at Gemvara.com
-- a whopping 66% off. Starting tomorrow (2/2), at 5 a.m. PST, customize
necklaces
,
earrings
and
rings
online, mix ’n’ match gemstones & precious metals and have it shipped - at no extra cost. Be sure to place your order at Gemvara.com by February 5 (this Sunday!) in order to have it delivered by February 14th.
Chocolate from Chuao Chocolatier
Starting Friday (2/3), at 5 a.m. PST,
Chuao Chocolatier
(pronounced chew-WOW) will finalize the triple threat of Valentine’s Day deals with one not to be trifled (or is it truffled?) with. The first Venezuelan Chocolatier based in the United States, which specializes in all-natural “fusion chocolate,” will offer an
online deal for $12 for $24
of artisan chocolate. And this isn’t your grandma’s chocolate box - Chuao offers unusual flavor combinations such as Spiced Napa Valley Cabernet, a combination of California raisin fondue, Napa Valley cabernet, caramel and spices in rich dark chocolate; and Rosemary Salt Caramel, a salt butter caramel infused with rosemary in creamy milk chocolate. Yum!
Visit
www.google.com/offers
to learn more and subscribe to
Google Offers
so you don't miss out on these great deals. Also, you can always find deals from Google Offers on-the-go with the
Google Offers app on Android
.
Posted by Shazia Makhdumi, Sr. Product Marketing Manager, Google Offers
Together Google Offers and NYC Bakery, Fat Witch, deliver a sweet deal
1/9/12
Located in New York's Chelsea Market,
Fat Witch Bakery
has been wowing customers and critics for more than 20 years with its all-natural brownies. Owner Patricia Helding worked as a Wall Street trader before launching her celebrated line of "witches.” Since then, Helding's bakery has grown to become a local, and national, favorite having been profiled on Oprah's "Favorite Things," the Food Network, and Good Morning America in recent years.
Patricia Helding, Owner, Fat Witch Bakery
Since opening the bakery in 1991, Patricia has never implemented a traditional paid advertising campaign because the “brownies speak for themselves.” However, with hopes to expand her brick and mortar business this year, Patricia has been looking for new ways to drive increased awareness for her brand as well as attract new customers. So, when the Google Offers sales team approached Patricia about running an deal, she jumped at the chance.
“I’m a big Google fan to begin with, so it was a natural move to run a Google Offer. And Google has a huge reach. Everyone in the world uses Google. I like that people from all over can walk into the store and use a Google Offer to experience our brownies,” said Helding.
Together, Patricia and the Google team crafted an offer that accurately matched the Fat Witch brand and business model. In July 2011, the bakery ran its Google Offer: $20 worth of brownies, gifts and more for only $10.
In addition to the increased brand exposure Fat Witch garnered on the
Google Offers site
, the deal was also promoted on Google’s social media channels and sent to subscribers in New York City via email. "All I had to do was cover the cost of baking,” recalled Helding.
Popular “witches” include the classic chocolate Fat Witch and the Blonde Baby -- think chocolate chip cookie in a brownie form -- (pictured)
And the results were so sweet! In just 24 hours more than 400 Fat Witch offers were sold and traffic into the bakery increased by 10%. “Our number one reason for running a Google Offer was to attract new customers, as well as reward our loyal customers with a great deal,” said Helding. “I would say the majority of people who came into the store to redeem the offer were new to Fat Witch and had never tried our brownies before. We also saw a lot of people come in for our “witching hour” from 5-8pm where brownies are half off.”
Helding is eager to keep growing her business. “Absolutely I'd do another offer with Google. I think it's a great concept. We don't lose money and the offer drove store traffic and really got our brand out there.”
If you’re a merchant and are interested in running a Google Offer, please visit
google.com/offers/business
.
Posted by Yoshiko Ono, Account Manager, Google Offers
Google Offers kicks off ‘Gourmet Ghetto’ week with sponsorship of the North Berkeley Spice of Life Festival
9/12/11
Since the launch of Google Offers in San Francisco and the East Bay in July, we’ve partnered with some great Bay Area businesses to provide people with relevant deals for the places they love to eat, shop and play. This week, we’re delighted to engage with the East Bay community even further by sponsoring the 9th annual North Shattuck Association’s
Spice of Life Festival
on Saturday, September 17th.
The Spice of Life festival is a celebration of North Berkeley’s ‘Gourmet Ghetto’ area, and will feature live music, cooking demos, food and wine tastings, and more! Stop by our Google Offers booth at the festival to meet a few members of our team and learn more about our upcoming
Google Offers ‘Gourmet Ghetto’ week
--a week of great deals from local favorites such as
Kitchen on Fire
,
Edible Excursions
and
Soop
.
Visit
www.google.com/offers
to sign up ahead of time so you don’t miss these awesome deals from local East Bay businesses.
It should be a great event and we hope to see you there!
Posted by Teresa Jung, Product Marketing Manager, Google Offers
Google Offers Beta in Five More Cities: Austin, Boston, D.C., Denver and Seattle
9/6/11
This summer we’ve brought you some amazing deals from fantastic businesses in
Portland
,
the Bay Area and New York City
with Google Offers beta. Now, we’re expanding to five more areas: Austin, Boston, D.C., Denver and Seattle.
Here’s more on Wednesday’s offers from our five new Google Offers zones:
In Austin, the first Google Offer is from
Juan in a Million
with $5 for $10 worth of food and drink.
The menu
at this locally-adored Mexican restaurant includes the legendary “Don Juan”-- El Taco Grande of the Breakfast Taco Challenge that
defeated Adam Richman
on the Travel Channel’s Man vs. Food series. Visit the Google booth at the
ACL pre-party
Thursday night to learn more.
Toscanini’s Ice Cream
in Cambridge down the street from MIT, is running our day-one Google Offer in Boston. Spend $5 for $10 worth of gourmet ice cream, choosing from
delectable flavors
like Burnt Caramel, Ginger Snap Molasses and Grape Nut.
Falafel is on the menu in our nation’s capital, with today’s Google Offer of $3 for $6 of food and beverage from the fun and funky
Amsterdam Falafelshop
in D.C. Redeem it for their
world-famous falafel
and make room for creative toppings like crunchy onions, garlic cream sauce and house-made pickled veggies.
In Denver, get $20 of merchandise for $5 at all three locations of
Tattered Cover Book Store
, celebrating its
40th anniversary
this year.
Meet your new favorite author
, cozy up with a latte and a magazine or browse through thousands of books and unique gift items in antique filled stores, each with its own indie ambiance.
The Seattle Aquarium
has a Google Offer you “otter” buy today with $9.50 for one day’s admission worth up to $19, that can also be applied toward an individual or family
annual membership
. See sand crabs, harbor seals, sea urchins and jellyfish frolic in the waves at this beloved Seattle institution.
Check the calendar
for upcoming events like underwater pumpkin carving.
Note: each of Wednesday’s offers will be redeemable starting on Thursday, September 8.
You can subscribe to receive deals of the day in your email inbox from as many places as you like at
google.com/offers
. You can also find and buy Google Offers from all eight regions that are currently part of this trial in the
Google Shopper app for Android
in the “Today’s Offer” tab, and don’t have to subscribe to buy. If Google Offers aren’t yet available near you, please
sign up
to receive a notification and we’ll let you know when we launch in your area.
Posted by Eric Rosenblum, Product Management Director Google Offers
Special Packages to Andrea Bocelli Live in Central Park through Google Offers Tomorrow
9/6/11
We launched Google Offers to give our users access to amazing deals for great places to eat, shop and play in their city. Tomorrow we bring New Yorkers a special opportunity through Google Offers to attend the upcoming
Andrea Bocelli's Live in Central Park
concert in New York City.
Internationally acclaimed tenor Andrea Bocelli will perform on Central Park’s Great Lawn, Thursday, September 15 with the New York Philharmonic, conducted by its music director Alan Gilbert, as a special gift to New York City.
While all the complimentary tickets have been distributed, tomorrow on Wednesday, September 7 at 6:00 AM ET, we will offer vouchers through Google Offers for exclusive packages of two general admission tickets and two t-shirts to this once in a lifetime musical event for $10. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale of the packages will be donated to the Central Park Conservancy. This will be a one-day offer with limited quantities available, but you can
subscribe to Google Offers now
at
google.com/offers
to receive this spectacular offer in your inbox as soon as it becomes available tomorrow.
For a preview of Andrea Bocelli’s Live in Central Park, you can
watch the video here
.
Looking forward to seeing you there.
Posted by Yaoshiang Ho, Business Development, Google
Google Offers beta launching in New York City and the Bay Area
7/12/11
(Cross-posted on the
Official Google Blog
)
Following our first launch of Google Offers beta in
Portland last month
, we’re bringing great deals to the Big Apple and the Bay Area starting today. Subscribers who sign up at
www.google.com/offers
or via the new “Today’s Offer” tab in
Google Shopper 2.0
for Android will start receiving emails with local offers in New York and the San Francisco Bay Area today.
We’re kicking off our bi-coastal rollout with offers from some local favorites:
New Yorkers can mix salty and sweet with Belgian fries and mango chutney at
Pommes Frites
, savor chocolate molten cake with a glass of Malbec at
Ayza Wine and Chocolate Bar
or sample a delectable red velvet mini cupcake at
Tonnie’s Minis
in Harlem.
In the San Francisco Bay Area, fresh donuts and apple fritters are served up 24/7 at
Bob’s Donut & Pastry Shop
on Polk Street. You can also get a taste of Provence at the
Le Bateau Ivre Restaurant
in Berkeley.
We caught up with the small business owners of
New York Dog Spa & Hotel
,
Yoshi’s Jazz Club in Oakland
and
San Francisco
plus
Toy Boat Dessert Cafe
in San Francisco to learn more about them and why they’re running Google Offers in the coming weeks.
Also starting later today, you can buy, view and redeem a Google Offer of the day with
Google Shopper 2.0
for Android. Once you’ve bought or saved an offer, it will appear in the My Offers tab in both the Shopper app and when you visit
www.google.com/offers
. Shopper will also connect you to all kinds of deals that are near you in the Nearby Offers tab, so wherever you are, you can still get great offers from Google even if you haven’t signed up for the daily deals in Portland, New York and the San Francisco Bay Area.
This is all just the beginning. Whether it’s
touring Napa wineries
, grabbing a slice of deep dish pizza in
San Francisco
or
Albany, CA
or catching an
improv show in New York
, stay tuned for deals from the best these areas have to offer.
Next up, we’ll be heading to Austin, Boston, Denver, Seattle and Washington, D.C. Point your browser to
www.google.com/offers
to sign up ahead of time so you don’t miss the sweet deals when we launch in these cities.
Posted by Eric Rosenblum, Product Management Director, Google Offers
Google Offers beta launches in Portland, Oregon
6/15/11
(Cross-posted on the
Google Places
and
Google Small Business
blogs)
Nothing beats a good deal, and during these couple weeks we saw that first hand. We teamed up with
Floyd’s Coffee Shop
in Portland to launch the
Google Offers
beta, a new product that brings Portlanders daily deals from local businesses.
On launch day, we asked Portlanders to sign up for our first deal: $3 for $10 worth of drinks and treats at Floyd’s, a local favorite. And you guys wasted no time! Starting at 7:30 a.m. the following morning, customers rolled in to Floyd’s to redeem and even scored Google Offers t-shirts.
Since Floyd's, we've also had Offers at the
Uptown Billiards Club
,
Karam Lebanese Cuisine
and with
Le Bistro Montage
,
Ground Kontrol
and
Mississippi Studios and Bar Bar
. And there are plenty more awesome deals on the way — in Portland and soon in other cities. Subscribe to our e-mails at
google.com/offers
to learn more about new Portland deals, and to find out when we’re coming to your city. If you’re a business owner who wants to set up an offer, just
send us a note
.
We’ve had an exciting first couple weeks, and we look forward to many more! Stay tuned to us on
Twitter
for more news and deals.
Posted by Kim Cianci, Account Manager
Google Offers beta starts in Portland, Oregon tomorrow
5/31/11
(Cross-posted on the
Places
,
Retail
,
Small Business
, and
Official Google
Blogs)
Portlanders know how to mix the urban (killer coffee, music and art) and the small-town (easy walking, biking and socializing). There’s no end to the city’s great restaurants, coffee shops, hot spots and places to explore. That’s why, when we started planning the Google Offers beta, we knew Portland was the ideal place to get it all kicked off.
Today, Google Chairman Eric Schmidt and VP of Commerce Stephanie Tilenius announced at the
D9 Conference
that we’re launching
Google Offers beta
in Portland, Ore. tomorrow.
Our first Google Offer will be from beloved local java shop
Floyd’s Coffee
. Husband-and-wife team Jack Inglis and Cris Chapman opened Floyd’s seven years ago, offering up espresso, coffee, breakfast burritos and more. They now have two convenient locations—one cozy, brick-lined shop in
Old Town
and another
Stumptown
watering-hole in
Buckman
.
With Google Offers, we’re working with great local businesses like Floyd’s Coffee,
Le Bistro Montage
,
Powell’s Books
and
Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade
to help them reach more Portlanders. We hope to bring Google Offers to other cities soon, with New York City and the San Francisco Bay area as our next stops.
You can learn more about Google Offers and sign up at
google.com/offers
. If you’re a business interested in participating in Google Offers,
you can let us know too
. Finally, if you’re at the
Portland Rose Festival
this Saturday, visit our Google booth at
CityFair
to say hello to our team and learn more about Google Offers.
Posted by Kyle Harrison, Product Manager, Google Offers
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