Google is making it easier for shoppers to get product information and compare prices while in physical stores. The tech giant is rolling out new capabilities for its Google Lens visual search tool that will provide insights on items you see in the real world.
With the updated Lens functionality, you'll be able to take a photo of a product like a toy, beauty item, or electronic, and instantly see reviews, pricing at different retailers, and inventory availability at nearby stores. This is powered by Google's extensive Shopping Graph database of over 45 billion product listings.
"We're introducing a new tool that updates how people shop in physical stores, using AI to take the guesswork out of in-store shopping," said Lilian Rincon, Google's VP of Consumer Shopping Product. "There's nothing like the magic of in-store shopping during the holidays, and at the same time, we've all come to rely on reading reviews, comparing prices, and researching before buying."
The new Lens shopping features will work at major retailers like Target, Ulta Beauty, Macy's, and Nordstrom that have shared their local inventory data with Google. This gives shoppers a more informed experience, allowing them to make confident purchasing decisions without having to do additional research on their phones.
In addition to the Lens updates, Google is also enhancing its Maps app to make it easier to search for and find products at nearby stores. Users will soon be able to search for items like holiday sweaters and see which local retailers have them in stock.
Google is also expanding its buy now, pay later options in Google Pay, adding Afterpay as a payment choice with Klarna coming soon. And the company is working on a new service to help merchants better identify and unblock legitimate transactions that may be mistakenly flagged as fraudulent.
These new shopping tools from Google are designed to bridge the gap between online and offline retail, giving consumers more transparency and confidence when making purchases, whether they're browsing a store or searching on their devices. As the holiday shopping season approaches, these features could prove invaluable for both shoppers and retailers.
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