Google launches iPads catalog app including jewelry
By http://www.nationaljeweler.com
Google Inc. has launched “Google Catalogs,” an iPad app that enables users to shop digital catalogs, including those from jewelry companies such as Blue Nile, Ross Simons, Stella & Dot and Sundance.
“For years, shoppers have enjoying flipping through glossy print catalogs to be inspired, discover new trends and find great products,” Kinnari Jhaveri, strategic partner development manager of the Google Commerce Team, wrote on the Official Google Blog. “Today, mobile technologies can make catalog shopping more engaging, social and creative.”
The catalogs are divided into seven sections: jewelry, women’s fashion and apparel, beauty, home, men’s fashion and apparel, kids and baby and gifts. Shoppers can flip through pages with the swipe of a finger on the tablet screen, where small price tags appear on product images. Touching a price tag opens up a window with product details.
The details screen includes two buttons, “Buy on Website” and “Find Nearby.” Touching “Buy on Website” opens up the product page on the e-commerce site of the retailer without leaving the Google app. Google says it does not charge retailers to be included in the app, or take a cut of sales generated by the app, but the structure could be changed in the future.
Touching the “Find Nearby” button activates the iPad’s GPS technology and displays a map with a listing of the retailer’s closest stores.
Users can tap on products to zoom in for a closer look, or create collages of favorite catalog pages and products, with the additional ability to view collages created by other Google Catalog users. Product pages and collages can also be shared via email.
The app currently features catalogs from 50 partners, and more will be added in the coming months, according to a spokesperson from Google. Google Catalogs will also be released for the Android during this time span.
Retailers interested in adding their catalogue to the app can fill out a form here to be reviewed by Google.
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