[The Next Web] Google’s same-day local delivery service opens to all in San Francisco area, hits Android and iOS too

Almost six months after it started trialling a same-day local delivery service in San Francisco, Google has announced that it’s now open to all users in the San Francisco and surrounding Peninsula area.

In what could be described as a similar initiative to Amazon Prime or eBay Now, Google Shopping Express opens up users’ local online stores in a single portal, meaning you can anything from groceries to toys and sports equipment through the service – all received on the same day.

In what’s clearly a sensible move here, Google’s also launched native Google Shopping Express apps for both Android and iOS, meaning that shoppers don’t have to be tethered to their laptops to use the service.

For now, a handful of national, local and regional stores are on board with Google Shopping Express, including American Eagle, Blue Bottle Coffee, Lucky, Office Depot, Palo Alto Toy & Sport, Photojojo, Raley’s Nob Hill Foods, Staples, Target, Toys R Us/Babies R Us, Walgreens, DODOcase, Guitar Center, L’Occitane, REI, and Whole Foods Market.

This is a big move for Google, and further cements its position in the retail world.

➤ Google Commerce Blog | Google Shopping Express now available to all San Francisco and Peninsula Shoppers