Want to know how to spend your next $1?
Don’t waste another dime on bloated channel reporting and vanity metrics.
Don’t waste another dime on bloated channel reporting and vanity metrics.
The Google Chrome browser is adding four new shopping features.
New shopping experience features from ecommerce platforms have been just as much a hallmark of this holiday season as discounts. So it’s fitting that Google had one more release to share this month before it’s all wrapped up.
In its latest product update, Google shared new ways that its Chrome browser is making online shopping easier, with a focus on finding ways to save that fits a period of 40-year-high inflation. Check them out below:
This allows people to keep an eye on a special item that they would like to buy, just at a lower price. The new feature allows users to opt-in to receive an email or mobile notification if the price of a certain item decreases.
To activate it, users select “track price” in the Chrome address bar. In the side panel, users can manage the products they are tracking.
The feature is available in the US on desktops and Android devices.
When items are added to a shopping cart, Chrome will automatically find available discount codes and apply them at checkout.
“Pro tip: Just open the New Tab Page anytime you need to track down existing shopping carts and you’ll see available discounts there, too,” writes Sam Birch, product manager for Chrome Shopping.
These features are available on desktop, initially in the US.
See an intriguing item online, but curious to know how much it costs? This feature makes it happen. Chrome desktop users can right-click an item, then select, “Search image with Google Lens.” In the side panel, results will show the item, as well as similar options from various retailers and price ranges. The results will also show whether an item is in stock, or being backordered.
Fast checkout is the key to a great commerce experience. With autofill, Chrome will take care of entering all the details like address and payment, provided they are saved in Google Pay. This comes as the ability to save payment info was expanded to 67 more countries.
Think about Google Shopping, and typically what comes to mind is search through the Google website. But these features point toward Google’s shopping experience extending anywhere on the web. It effectively positions the browser as an always-on ecommerce shopping assistant. What's more, centering the actions around pricing and checkout adds functionality that goes beyond searching for products.
It’s the year’s latest example of how the big ecommerce platforms want to be available for shopping beyond their own sites. Amazon wants to plant its checkout on DTC sites through Buy With Prime. Google is leveraging tools in its own browser. Don’t be surprised to see these plays at ubiquity escalate in 2023. On the web, ecommerce is about to get more embedded.
When it comes to shopping, Google is shipping this year. These are just the latest upgrades to the shopping experience on Google to be released this year. Here’s a look at our running list of more releases from Google:
On the Move has hiring news from Walmart US, Etsy, commercetools and more.
Judy Werthauser. (Photo via LinkedIn)
This week, retailers are bringing on C-level talent in areas such as people, operations and transformation. Plus, Kohl’s appoints an activist investor’s choice for CEO, Fanatics taps a former Snap executive for livestream shopping and Etsy brings aboard Facebook’s former general counsel.
Tom Kingsbury was appointed CEO of Kohl’s. Kingsbury was named interim CEO in December upon the resignation of now-Levi’s President Michelle Gass. Now, Kingsbury will have the job on a permanent basis. Kingsbury served as CEO of Burlington Stores from 2008-2019. Kingsbury was nominated by activist investor Macellum Advisors, which was pushing for change at Kohl’s. With Kingsbury’s appointment as CEO, Macellum has agreed to a “multi-year standstill.”
Judy Werthauser was appointed chief people officer at Walmart U.S. Werthauser comes to the teen-focused retailer from Five Below, where she served as EVP and chief experience officer. Over her four-year tenure, the chain grew from about 750 stores to more than 1,300 locations. Werthauser also served on the board of BJ's Wholesale Club, and is now resigning from that position. “I am excited to work alongside the world-class Walmart U.S. team as they bring the purpose of building a better world – helping people live better and renewing the planet while building thriving, resilient communities – to life,” Werthauser wrote in a LinkedIn post.
Mike Brewer was named chief operating officer at Crate & Barrel Holdings, overseeing operations at Crate & Barrel, CB2, Crate & Kids and Hudson Grace. Brewer brings 20 years of experience from Nike, where he served in roles including sourcing, manufacturing and supply chain. Crate & Barrel said Brewer’s appointment was part of the home retailer’s “ongoing efforts to evaluate and alter its structure in ways that help support overall growth.”
Keith Melker. (Courtesy photo)
Keith Melker was appointed chief strategy and transformation officer at JCPenney. Melker comes to the department store retailer from Wehner Multifamily, where he served as CEO. He was also a previous chief strategy officer at the Kimberly-Clark Corporation. Melker will oversee the transformation office, which includes ownership of metrics such as profitable traffic, inventory management, digital growth and strategic partnerships. With this move, Katie Mullen will remain chief strategy officer.
Blaine Trainor is joining ecommerce software provider commercetools as VP of global partnerships and alliances. In the role, Trainor will lead the headless commerce company’s partnerships ecosystem, working with companies including Deloitte, CapGemini, AWS and Google Cloud. Trainor previously served in senior leadership roles at SAP over a 12-year tenure, and also held sales roles at hybris software and Sterling Commerce.
Nick Bell, a former Google and Snap executive, will lead a new livestream shopping division of Fanatics, Footwear News reported. Bell previously led the teams behind Google Search Experience, and served as VP and global head of content and partnerships at Snap Inc. Bell will lead the Fanatics Live division, which will launch a standalone app that is geared toward collectibles.
NIck Bell. (Photo via LinkedIn)
Colin Stretch was appointed chief legal officer at corporate secretary at Etsy, effective Feb. 14. Stretch previously served as general counsel at Facebook from 2013-2019. He then spent two years as leader in residence at Columbia University Law School's Reuben Mark Initiative for Organizational Character & Leadership, and went on to the law firm Latham & Watkins.
"Colin's extensive experience will be critical to Etsy's efforts to ensure we remain a safe and trusted marketplace, broaden our reach across all our brands, and advocate for microbusinesses around the world,” said CEO Josh Silvermann, in a statement.