Google has updated its Shopping tool, allowing marketers to provide consumers with more information on mobile devices to help them make better shopping decisions in time for Black Friday.
Shopping will provide consumers with information to help them make quick decisions such as whether products are available and which stores have them in stock. Once in the store looking at the merchandise, the descriptions will likely provide more details than the small type of the store shelf.
Nearly 50% of 25- to-34-year-olds use their phone to shop online while standing in line at a store, per Google.
Customer reviews will accompany the more detailed information about the product and where to buy it. Since product descriptions are basically marketing fluff, Google Shopping now offers to direct consumers to what they hope are objective customer reviews. Consumers also will have an option to rotate select products on Google Shopping in 360 degrees to see them in more detail.
Google found that 27% of shoppers have already begun hunting for Black Friday deals online. Some of the top Black Friday questions that consumers query in the search engine include "What time do stores open on black friday," "What time does black friday start," and "When does black friday end what to buy on black friday."
Top trending gifts this season include wearable health-related technology and retro toys. Game consoles and tablets continue strong this holiday season, but wearable technology such as the fitbit continues to rise this month. Certain retro toys are making a comeback this season. The new movie "Ouija," has spiked searches for "Ouija boards" about 300% since October. Search queries for "Barbie Dream House," and "My Little Pony" are up since last month.
Cold-weather gear like "Hunter boots" and "Canada Goose jackets" are among the most popular apparel searches -- up 46% and 140%, respectively, since October. "Jogger pants" are the new gift searches this season, up 39% from October.
Google also released the top trending purchases on Google Express per location. While San Franciscans seek a nutritious holiday with lots of bananas, avocado, coconut water and quinoa, consumers in West L.A. are searching for disposable silverware, plastic cups, paper plates, tortilla chips and garbage bags. New Yorkers are looking for cereal, almond milk and butter croissants, and those in Boston want salty treats such as maple bacon chips, green pea crisps and peanuts.