Google brings shopping service to West Michigan

Google brings shopping service to West Michigan

Google Express, an overnight online shopping and delivery platform, cost $95 annually. Courtesy Google

All aboard the Google Express.

In its continued quest to become the Internet’s one-stop-for-everything, Google created what might be considered its own take on Amazon Prime. Enter Google Express, Google’s shopping and delivery platform that offers overnight delivery with popular retailers and other local stores.

“Here's how it works: Shop for what you need all in one place, add items to your cart, select a delivery window, and check out using Google Payments,” according to Google Express’s website. “We'll process your order in the store and arrange for a driver to bring it to your address during your preferred delivery window. With a Google Express membership, delivery is free on eligible orders over $15.”

Google Express first launched in the spring of 2013 in San Francisco and Silicon Valley before its public launch later that fall. Last year, it expanded into major cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston and Washington, D.C. Now it has arrived in West Michigan.

As part of its Midwest rollout — its first major rollout since last fall when it opened in Chicago — Google Express is now available all across West Michigan, in a trapezoid-shaped coverage area that touches Ludington in the north, cuts across Mt. Pleasant and down to Lansing in the east, then juts down to St. Joseph in the south. Michigan residents can use Google Express to shop from 16 national retailers, including Costco, Barnes & Noble, PetSmart and Toys “R” Us, as well as other stores like L’Occitane en Provence, Fry’s Electronics and Moosejaw.

“Our goal with Google Express is to offer a great shopping experience and connect people with their favorite stores by helping them get what they need, when they want it,” said Brian Elliott, Google Express general manager. “Today, we're very excited to be further expanding our efforts and bringing fast delivery to over 25 million people in the Midwest.”

Membership in Google Express costs $95 per year, and it includes unlimited free delivery service on eligible orders. A free three-month trial period is available to new users.