Google's new shopping site

Google has launched its Google Shopping product search engine in Australia.

The platform allows consumers to search for product information online, compare prices and a retailer to purchase the product. It also houses product reviews.

Retailers can sign up to Google Shopping for free by submitting a catalogue of their products to the Google Merchant Center.

Super Retail Group has become a foundation retailer on the Google Product Search platform.

Each of the Group’s four brands, Supercheap Auto, BCF, Goldcross Cycles and Ray’s Outdoors will engage with the service.

Peter Birtles, MD and CEO of Super Retail Group said Google Product Search will enable each of the Group’s brands to reach qualified shoppers precisely when they are searching on Google for items to buy, and offer them products and deals relevant to their needs and budget.

“Australian shoppers will have access to the complete range of products currently available online at the Group’s existing ecommerce sites, and by using Google Product Search can now refine their search to yield only those products relevant to specifically defined criteria,” he said.

By Inside Retailing

Like My Ride

Toyota Australia recently launched a social media campaign in support for the FJ Cruiser. The idea is a simple one, for every "Like" the brand receives on it's Facebook page, the total price of the vehicle will decrease by $5 for the eventual winner. Over and above the discounts, the brand will also throw in extra value-add items to entice potential purchasers even more.

The overall winner of the competition, out of all those who participated on Facebook will stand a chance of buying the vehicle at a maximum $20000 discount.

Tissot Augmented Reality Window at Harrods

Tissot has partnered with Harrod's by installaing an interactive window display that enables consumers to virtually ‘try on’ watches from both the Ladies and T-Touch men’s collection, complete with a fully interactive touch screen that allows potential customers to experience the wider Tissot range range in an innovative and fresh way.
Whilst the idea and execution is no doubt highly engaging and interactive, the paper wristbands do somewhat detract from the premium nature of the watch brand, in my opinion...

Below is a video showcasing the many positive responses from potential purchasers, so perhaps my opinion doesn't matter much, in this instance.

Forever 21's Hologram fashion show

FOREVER 21 Holographic Fashion Show - Vienna Austria: 04/29/11 from space150 on Vimeo.

Forever 21 is in the middle of a tour of eight holographic fashion shows around the world.

The first show, held in a special venue at Volksgarten, Vienna, Austria, was launched to celebrate the opening of the flagship Vienna retail store, and gave invited customers the chance to see fashion trends in a runway show comprised entirely of holographic models.

“Our customers are always searching for the next big thing, or fashion trends before they happen,” says Linda Chang, senior marketing manager at Forever 21.

“We love that about them, so we are always thinking about how to surprise them, show them things they’ve never seen before and give them new exciting ways to get involved with Forever 21.”

Conceived by digital agency, space150, the show features a runway first: no live models. Holographic models, wearing designs from Forever 21’s new line, walk the runway, disappear into starbursts and climb invisible staircases that light up underfoot. The Vienna premiere is the first of eight events including upcoming holographic runway shows in London, Belgium and New York.

“Forever 21 is a phenomenon,” says space150 founder and CEO Billy Jurewicz, “They’re a leader in bringing accessible, up-to-the-minute fashion to customers everywhere. We designed these holographic shows as a more advanced way to premiere a new line that is more controllable, less hassle and has much greater impact for the same price as a traditional runway event.”

Forever 21’s program of digital brand entertainment began in June 2010 with the introduction of an interactive Forever 21 billboard in Times Square, New York. Also conceived in partnership with space150, the board located on the site of the iconic Virgin billboard, features giant onscreen models interacting in real time with customers on the streets outside the store. Models snap Polaroids of the crowd in real time or pick people up and drop them into a store shopping bag.

“Our whole approach at space150 is about destroying convention to create demand,” adds Jurewicz. “We’re not saying the traditional runway show has seen its end, but this technology and concept really rethinks the idea of what a runway can now do.”

Inside Retailing