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Google Shopping Express, rebranded to simply “Google Express” as of this morning, is no longer entirely subsidizing the costs associated with same-day delivery. The program, which offers instant shopping gratification to consumers in a growing number of U.S. cities, is now working to transition its more regular customers into paying members, who subscribe on either a monthly or annual basis for $10/month or $95/year, respectively.
The company, which is clearly attempting to combat Amazon Prime, has been busy working out deals with major retailers – especially the brick-and-mortar big box stores who have felt the impacts of Amazon’s e-commerce efforts over the years. While Google Express already had a number of big-name brands on board, like Costco, Target, Staples, Office Depot, Walgreens, Toys R Us, Babies R Us, Whole Foods and more, today it announced the addition of 16 other merchants, which have been added to the service over the past couple of months.
These include 1-800-Flowers, Barnes & Noble, Nine West, PetSmart, Vitamin Shoppe and Sports Authority, and regional merchants like Paragon Sports in New York and Vicente Foods in Los Angeles.
The service also expanded into three new cities today, including Chicago, Boston and Washington D.C., where other regional brands are being brought on, such as Stop & Shop in Boston; Giant Food in D.C.; and Lux Roses, TigerDirect, Treasure Island Foods and Wrigleyville Sports in Chicago
