Google Catalogs has the Trends You're Shopping For

While long lines at the mall and holiday shipping times can be daunting, knowing what to shop for can be the most challenging part of the holiday shopping season. Armed with Google Catalogs, Google Trends and a couple of experts from the Google Shopping team, we've come up with a list of some of the most searched-for items on Google Shopping, to give you some ideas as to what your loved ones really want this season.

Here are some of the most searched for electronics, toys and home goods on Google Shopping, and the catalogs where you can find them...and more!



Electronics

• Roku 2 XD searches have reached an all time high in search popularity this season
• Google Nexus 7 searches are up 21% since the device launched in June
• Sony Nex 5R searches are up 76% since October
• Kindle Fire HD searches are up 68% since mid-October
• Samsung Galaxy SIII searches have risen by 44% in the past 12 months
Browse the Crutchfield and Brookstone catalogs for more of this season's host gadgets

Toys

• Furby searches have risen 88% in the past 12 months
• Skylanders: Giants searches have risen 90% since September
• Nabi 2 searches are up 92% in the past 30 days
• Vtech Innotab 2 searches have doubled since October
Browse the Mills Fleet Farm catalog for these and other toys they'll love

Home

• Nespresso Pixie searches are up 36% in November as compared to October
• KitchenAid Stand Mixer searches have been up in 2011 and 2012 over previous years by as much as 60%
• Roomba 780 searches are up 87% since it's launch in December 2011
• Cake Pop Maker searches are up 70% since September
Browse the Williams-Sonoma and Sur La Table catalogs for more fabulous home items

Sometimes it's nice to get ahead of the crowd and see what will be the next hot trends. Here are some apparel fashion trends that are gaining traction and the Catalogs where you can browse these looks...and more!

Women's Apparel

• Women's Puffer Jackets searches are up 32% over November 2011
Browse Puffer Jackets in the Eddie Bauer catalog
• Fair Isle Knits searches are up 20% over last year and continue to rise in popularity 
Browse Fair Isle Knits in the Sundance catalog
• Searches for the color Oxblood have peaked in search popularity this season, over all holiday seasons since 2004
Browse Oxblood accessories in the Bloomingdale's catalog
• Ankle Boots searches are up 20% over last year
Browse Ankle Boots in the Solestruck catalog

Men's Apparel

• Chelsea Boots searches have reached an all time high and are still rising
Browse Chelsea Boots in the Johnston & Murphy catalog
• Toggle Coats searches are up 35% in searches over last year
Browse Toggle Coats in the Saks Fifth Avenue catalog
• Cable Knit Sweaters searches have reached an all time high
Browse Cable Knit Sweaters in the Brooks Brothers catalog

Need more gift ideas? Check out Google Catalogs for great gifts for everyone on your list and let Google Shopping help you outshine Santa this year! Happy Shopping!

Posted by Meghan Brock, Fashion & Style Specialist, Google Shopping

Google Shopping: Promotional Credit and Update to Feed Spec for International Merchants

Last month, we announced the international rollout of the new Google Shopping model built on Product Listing Ads. Starting in February 2013, Google Shopping in ten more countries will be transitioning to a new experience built on Product Listing ads. We believe these changes, and the improved user experience, will create new opportunities for merchants and help retailers of all sizes attract more customers to their stores. The new model will be rolled out completely by the end of Q2 2013.

To encourage merchants in Australia, Japan, Brazil, Spain, Italy, France, Netherlands, U.K., Germany and Switzerland to make this transition to Google Shopping, we are offering promotional credit. Merchants who apply and create a Product Listing Ad campaign promoting all of their products in Merchant Center by 12 April 2013 could qualify for this credit. They could also qualify for a monthly credit for 10% of their total Product Listing Ad spend.

To learn more and apply for promotional credit, please visit this page.

Feed Specification Updates

In an effort to improve the data quality on Google Shopping, we have updated our international feed specifications. These changes will take effect in March 2013. They will align our global product feeds more closely and enable us to surface better results to users. Advertisers who are using the reduced Product Ads feed spec will need to bring their feeds into compliance with these new requirements. For more information on the upcoming changes, please visit the Help Center.

In addition to the update, we will also be releasing a new set of Google Shopping program policies. The detailed policies will be announced in January next year.

Posted by Sameer Samat, Vice President of Product Management, Google Shopping