Showcase your promotions and get your customers’ attention

Shoppers are savvier than ever. They use social recommendations, web searches and smartphone apps to make informed purchase decisions. So how can a retailer stand out and get a shopper’s attention?

Today, we're rolling out a new way for retailers to reach shoppers at the moment of interest. Retailers can now add promotions to their product listings on Google Shopping to make them stand out. In addition, they can distribute their promotions on other Google properties such as Google Maps for Android and the Google Offers app, and attract shoppers to their store.

Promotions are highlighted in product listings on Google Shopping

In a few simple steps retailers can create a promotions list, map it to the right products in Google Shopping and upload to Google Merchant Center.  Our system supports user specific redemption codes and associated reporting, enabling retailers to measure the performance of each promotion.

 

Shoppers can see nearby promotions while searching in Google Maps for Android

This is one of the many steps we’re taking to provide traffic, technology and tools to help retailers grow their business. Over 25 well-known U.S. retailers, including 1-800-flowers.com, OfficeMax®, Inc., Tommy Hilfiger, Express, Chico’s, Overstock, Guitar Center, Drugstore.com and Wayfair, are already part of this program. In the coming months, we plan to expand the program to include more retailers. If you are interested in featuring your promotions on Google properties, you can learn more here.

Posted by Nitin Mangtani, Group Product Manager, Google Offers and Michaela Feller, Product Manager, Google Shopping

Hangout Alert!: Discuss the SF Food Scene With Gary Danko, Nancy Oakes, and More

(Cross-posted on the Zagat Blog)

This Thursday, we're teaming up with the folks at Zagat for a panel discussion that is, to put it bluntly, epic. Nancy Oakes (Boulevard), Gary Danko (Gary Danko) and Mourad Lahlou (Aziza) will be on hand, along with SF Chronicle food critic Michael Bauer, to discuss San Francisco's food story. We'll be asking them questions about the current state of the city's restaurant scene and they'll be dishing out tips for aspiring chefs or restaurant owners (and hopefully they'll share a few pointers for scoring a reservation at their top-rated restaurants).

The Google+ Hangout will take place live starting at 6 PM EST. You can submit questions and get an invite to participate here. If you want to stream it live, tune in to our Google+ Page to see this impressive roster of food peeps share their thoughts.

Posted by James Mulcahy, Zagat Blog Editor

Enjoy a summer of free wi-fi in NYC, courtesy of Google Offers

Since launching Google Offers in NYC a year ago, we’ve worked with hundreds of local businesses to bring great deals to New Yorkers who want to make the most of their city. This summer, we’re excited to bring another great deal to New York City: free Boingo Wi-Fi in subway stations and Boingo hotzones across Manhattan. People can surf the Internet, or discover great local deals from Google Offers, while they’re waiting at the subway platform or enjoying summertime in the Big Apple.

Starting today through September 7th, anyone can access Boingo Wi-Fi for free at six New York City subway stations:

• A, C, E station at Eighth Avenue and West 14th Street
• L station at Eighth Avenue and West 14th Street
• C, E station at Eighth Avenue and West 23rd Street
• 1, 2, 3 station at Seventh Avenue and West 14th Street
• F, M station at Sixth Avenue and West 14th Street
• L station at Sixth Avenue and West 14th Street

To stay connected above ground, Google Offers is also sponsoring free Wi-Fi at more than 200 Boingo hotzones across Manhattan.

To subscribe to Google Offers, please visit: www.google.com/offers. And follow the Google NYC twitter handle (@GoogleNYC) for more details on where you can find free Wi-Fi.

Posted by Jennifer Karakkal, Product Marketing Manager, Google Offers

Google Offers app now available on iPhone

Today we’re announcing the new Google Offers app for iPhone. Now, iPhone users can discover, buy and redeem Google Offers, as well as deals from our partners, on-the-go.

Some of the features of the new Google Offers app for iPhone include:

• Instant savings, just around the corner: Quickly discover offers near you in map view or search for deals by category to easily find the right deal for you.
• See & use the deals you want, when you want them: All of your purchased and saved offers are tracked in "My Offers,” for easy access from your iPhone or online.
• Savings made simple: Instantly redeem most offers with your iPhone, without having to print vouchers.
• Never miss a great deal: Get notifications when new deals are available or when a deal that you’ve purchased or saved is about to expire.

Browse deals near you in map view, purchase offers directly from the app, and get instant access to all of your deals in “My Offers” 

Download the Google Offers app for iPhone today from The App Store. This app is only available in the U.S.

Posted by Robert Kim, Product Manager, Google Offers

Father’s Day gift ideas from Google Offers

He’s quirky. One-of-a-kind. There’s no one like him. And best of all, he’s your dad. This Father’s Day, score a gift from Google Offers that’s as original as he is. Whether you’re looking for something to keep Dad busy, stylish, connected, active or just well fed, Google Offers has a wide variety of gifts that he’ll dig—at prices you’ll love.

Discover these great gift ideas for all kinds of dads. Yup, even yours.

For tech-savvy dads
SharperImage.com: $15 for $30 toward electronics, gadgets & more innovative gifts
It doesn’t matter how old he is, Dad sure does love his toys. When it comes to the latest, most creative gadgets, SharperImage.com has everything Dad’s ever dreamed of and a whole lot more.

GoIncase.com: $25 for $50 toward iPhone, iPad & MacBook accessories
Dad taught you how to drive, but you probably taught him how to text. For an extra special Father’s Day message, grab him an Offer from Incase so he can keep his favorite gadget stylish and scratch-free.

Zazzle.com: $9 for $18 toward custom skins for phones, laptops & more electronics
Give Dad’s gadget a whole new look at Zazzle.com, where you can protect and personalize hundreds of devices, from cell phones to tablets, with a custom skin showcasing your own snapshots and designs.

For stylin’ dads
SwissOutpost.com: $75 for a Wenger Classic Field Swiss Military Watch (up to $195 value)
His style in one word? Classic. With a world-class Swiss Army watch from Wenger, Dad’s timepiece can be as timeless as his style.

BNYCOnline.com: $25 for $50 toward designer footwear, clothing & accessories
Give props to Dad’s high style with a Father’s Day gift that speaks to his fashion cred (or passion for staying active). For the latest and greatest sneakers, running shoes, and designer apparel, check out BNYCOnline.com.

For foodie dads
MeatHub.com: $69.99 for your choice of ultimate grilling combos ($169 value)
This Father’s Day, ensure Dad feels like king of the grill—or at least eats like one. Make Dad’s rotisserie dreams come true with the delivery of one of two ultimate grilling combos from MeatHub.com.

For creative dads
Zazzle.com: $37 for a custom gallery-wrapped canvas print ($119 value)
These days, it’s easier than ever to make Dad a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Visit Zazzle.com and turn that special snapshot into a stunning 20”x16” gallery-wrapped canvas print. Talk about original art.

Check your inbox for other original Father’s Day gift ideas from Google Offers.

To subscribe to Google Offers, please visit: www.google.com/offers. And follow our Google+ Page for news and updates from the Google Offers team.

Posted by Shazia Makhdumi, Sr. Product Marketing Manager, Google Offers

Schemer brings you Google Offers to help you say ‘I’ve done it’

Cross-posted on the Schemer blog.

Since Schemer launched we’ve been thrilled to see so many schemes marked as ‘Done’, but we know you have more in you! To help you out, Schemer will now scour the plethora of deals on Google Offers and intelligently find ones that match activities you’ve been meaning to do.

We have been pilot-testing this Google Offers integration for the past few weeks and have received wonderful feedback from our users (thanks!). We’re now excited to open it up to more users.

Maybe you’ve always wanted to ‘Go Skydiving’? You might receive an email with a killer deal on a tandem jump from a skydiving company in your area, in which case the time is ripe to jump out of that perfectly good airplane!





Maybe you’ve been meaning to check out what the deal is with that mysterious mansion down the street. Schemer will help you quell that curiosity at the most opportune (and money saving!) time with a brief email:

You can also buy Google Offers directly from a scheme’s detail page if you happen to come across one while searching for things to do:

Worried about getting too much email? Have no fear—Schemer will only send you information about great deals for schemes you’ve specifically said you want to do. Also, you can always opt-out of the offer notifications under your Settings.

You can start receiving offers hand-picked for you by simply adding more schemes. Search for some of your favorite categories, select a few that you’ve always been meaning to do, and indicate ‘I want to do it’. Let Schemer and Google Offers do all the rest.

Intrigued and not on Schemer yet? Join now at www.schemer.com.

We hope that these offers add that little bit of extra motivation you might need to get out there and start marking your schemes ‘Done’.

As always, Happy Scheming!

Posted by Huy Nguyen, Schemer Front-end Engineer

It’s Food Truck Day in Orlando, presented by Google Offers

Let the good deals roll. Google Offers in Orlando is kicking off summer by showcasing the latest food movement: food that moves. Food trucks represent the ultimate in micro-sized businesses that collectively have a huge impact on local culture.

Today only, you’ll have a chance to save 50% at six of the city’s roving restaurants: from the most beloved to some waiting to be discovered. Don't miss out on this one-day wonder because after today it’s rolling, rolling, gone.

Here’s a sneak peak:

• Melissa’s Chicken and Waffles ($4 for $8): These popular Southern-style sandwiches marry savory poultry with sweet, doughy battercakes. Melissa’s signature dish, buttermilk fried chicken with gravy and syrup folded into a warm, fluffy waffle, is served alongside other cooked-to-order specials like waffles topped with coconut chicken and pineapple chili sauce or, for dessert, with blueberry cheesecake. Savory, sweet, and hot off the iron at any time of day.
• La Empanada ($3.50 for $7): Gourmet eats meet low-key convenience at La Empanada, where neatly-filled pastry pockets make for inspired handheld meals. Try the truck’s “envelope food” in creative, baked or fried varieties like truffle mac and cheese and lentil sloppy Joe. Save room for a dark chocolate and sea salt pocket for dessert. After all, the empanada is the ultimate mobile munchy.
• Fork In The Road ($5 for $10): Manned by French Culinary Institute grad Bryce Balluff, this traveling kitchen offers a seasonal menu of artisanal signature sandwiches, mac and cheese creations, and decadent desserts. Their cookiewiches—ice cream stuffed between two fresh-baked cookies—are a perfect way to cool off on a scorching summer day.
• Sit ‘N Stay Pet Cafe ($5 for $10): Run by animal-loving sisters, this traveling treat-machine and online shop serves up homemade canine and cat delights. Treat your pooch to a Jamaican Bark Patty, Cake Pup or a grain-free Banana Nut “Ruffin,” and get felines purring with shrimp-flavored Cat Bread. The gourmet nibbles are so tail-waggingly good that owners may have a hard time keeping their paws off.
• The Flattery ($4 for $8): Pizza gets personal at The Flattery, where they use local ingredients to serve up personal-size and personalized gourmet flatbreads. Their spread of inspired varieties include the Piggy Pie, Say Cheese, and Flatter Me Q (smoked chicken and caramelized onions with homemade apple coffee BBQ sauce). Each mini-pizza is made to order and to please, so customize away. The folks at this fancy curbside kitchen are so accommodating, you’ll be flattered.
• Que Rico ($5 for $10): Catering to the late-night crowds in South Orange, Que Rico brings Miami’s saucy Latin heat up north, serving comfort food classics with South American flair. For the ultimate “Rico fix” after a big night out, try the Salchi Papas—a platter of fried hot dogs and french fries topped with their special pink, pimento and cilantro sauces. If that doesn’t pull you in, the Latin party music bumping from the truck definitely will.

Orlando is much more than theme parks (though we love them). See more of what O-Town has to offer. Subscribe now.

Posted by Lisbeth Kaiser, Associate Editor, Google Offers

Taste, cook, and dine with local celebrity chefs with Google Offers’ Chef Exclusives in Austin and Dallas, TX

Whether they’re licking BBQ off their fingers or enjoying gourmet food truck eats, we’re pretty sure the thing Texans love most (maybe after football) is quality, locally-crafted food. To showcase that, Google Offers has set the table for Chef Exclusives, a series of inspired culinary experiences with chefs from acclaimed local restaurants in Austin and Dallas. For the next few weeks, customers will be able to purchase offers to join chefs for everything from cooking demonstrations at the chef’s home to a four-course brunch and cooking lesson with an executive chef.

           

 

The series kicks off on May 30th in Austin where we have 11 chefs from top-notch restaurants lined up. The first offer features celebrity chef and James Beard Award-winner, Tyson Cole (you might recognize his name from the Food Network's Iron Chef America). As the owner and executive chef of Uchiko, Cole will host Google Offers customers for a seven-course dinner in the restaurant’s private dining room.

Dallas will feature 12 experiences with chefs from the city’s finest restaurants, starting with none other than Top Chef’s own Tre Wilcox on June 11th. Wilcox, the executive chef at Village Marquee Grill & Bar, will give a cooking lesson and demonstration before enjoying a four-course brunch with the lucky group of Offers customers.

Even if you don’t live in Austin or Dallas you can spend time with both Tyson Cole and Tre Wilcox, as we've partnered with Zagat to host Google+ Hangouts with the chefs on the days their Google Offer launches. To join Tyson's Hangout, visit Zagat’s Google+ page and comment on this post to let them know you’d like an invite to the Hangout and return back on May 30th to try to grab one of the open spots. Even if you don't get to participate, you can sit back and watch the Hangout to indulge your inner chef.

To subscribe to Google Offers in Austin, Dallas and other locations across the U.S., please visit: www.google.com/offers. And follow our Google+ Page for updates from the Google Offers team.

Posted by Gary Heitz, Program Manager, Google Offers

Discover Google Offers near you in Google Maps for Android

Whether you’re navigating the streets of your hometown or exploring a new city, getting from “point A” to “point B” is a breeze with Google Maps for mobile. With today’s release of Google Maps 6.7 for Android in the U.S., you can see all the Google Offers near you in list or map form, making it easy to get great deals from local businesses on the go.