Google Knows the Value of In-Store Product Search...Or Do They?

Google recently announced a cool new feature on the Android operating system called Google Product Search, and today they announced integrated barcode scanning into the system. This is a cool technology, but how functional is it for the masses?

There's a unique value proposition for consumers when shopping in stores, and for consumers, it's not necessarily price comparison shopping. Cool, yes. Functional, maybe.

Shopsavvy launched a barcode scanning application with the launch of the Android system. It looks like Google is now after that same mindshare that they worked with Shopsavvy to create, and unfortunately in the name of the retailer. Unless you're the lowest discount retailer, it's hard to win with these applications. Fortunately, when consumers are in-store, there's more value than saving a few pennies.

Online, price comparison surged in the last five years because consumers have time to sit at their computer and research product features, benefits and prices. Companies like PriceGrabber flourished in this online "research" market, but that value has yet to be proven to the consumer in the store, with that time sensitive, immediate, "product-in-my-hand-now" gratification on their mind.

Stay tuned for the next big game changer in retail, Aisle411, and possibly the last frontier in shopper value.