For $95 a year or $10 a month, Google Express subscribers can get unlimited delivery of what they buy. Or shoppers can sign up for a la carte delivery for $4.99 per order.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Google Express next-day delivery service expanded into Greater Cleveland today, offering delivery from national retailers such as Costco Wholesale Corp., Toys 'R' Us and Babies 'R' Us, Barnes & Noble, L'Occitane and PetSmart.
"Our goal with Google Express is to offer a great shopping experience and connect people with their favorite stores," said Brian Elliott, general manager of Google Express, in a statement. "Today, we're very excited to be further expanding our efforts -- making it easy for over 50 million people in the Midwest to get things they need from stores they love -- delivered overnight."
For $95 a year or $10 a month, shoppers can sign up at www.google.com/express/ for unlimited delivery of what they buy from select retailers, provided they meet the minimum order amount. Or they can sign up for a la carte delivery for $4.99 per order.
Google Express is also offering a free three-month trial of the service for new members, provided they are within the designated delivery zone. (Enter your ZIP code here to find out if you're in the zone.) The membership automatically renews after the first three months, but can be canceled.
Here's how it works:
-- Shop for your usual items at online stores such as Target or Costco, or via the Google Express website.
-- Add the items to your virtual cart.
-- Choose the two-hour window when you want delivery from each store.
-- Check out using Google payments.
The store processes the order and arranges for a driver to deliver the goods. Delivery is not available on perishable groceries, alcohol or bulky items.
Orders have to be a minimum of $15, or a $3 "small order fee" will be added.
The service is currently limited to the stores listed on the website, but Google Express said it is looking to add more local merchants.
Formerly called Google Shopping Express, the service is similar to one offered by Amazon.com, and lets users order items via their desktops, smart phones and tablets and receive them by the next day.
Tuesday's expansion is part of efforts by Google Express, formerly limited to select markets such as San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles, to reach more cities, towns and rural areas in the Midwest.
Not only will Northeast Ohioans get their items more quickly, Google Express said, but the service will help local merchants extend their reach to new customers throughout the region.
