Google Debuts Fashion Shopping Site (Boutiques.com)

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/18/fashion/18googlefashion.html?_r=1&hp=&pagewanted=all

by frampton • 16 years ago

35 21 16 years ago

http://www.boutiques.com/ http://www.google.com/support/boutiques/

RBr4• 16 years ago

Web and mobile apps seem to consume most of our days lately. It's nice to be reminded that there is still a lot of money in straight, simple ecommerce.

I like the way that Google is aggregating content into one shop. I've often wondered why the marketing geniuses at retail stores like Gap haven't recruited celebrities (or their stylists) to assemble groups of clothing and accessories. Brand celebrity specific micro sites, target trending celebrity keywords, show people clothes that popular people wear sort of thing.

In a different line, an interesting facebook app would allow those wacky kids to easily assemble groups of clothes that they own or want. Wrap those collections in customizable page templates (photos, colors, that sort of thing) and allow them to be shared with their friends.

icegreentea• 16 years ago

Because celebrities make even more money off selling their own lines.

dabent2• 16 years ago

"an interesting facebook app would allow those wacky kids to easily assemble groups of clothes that they own or want. Wrap those collections in customizable page templates (photos, colors, that sort of thing) and allow them to be shared with their friends"

Sounds like a way to find new paths through product space: http://ycombinator.com/rfs2.html

Seriously, this is a big deal. So big, I'm wondering why I'm typing this because it's the same area I'm working in. :-)

vlorch• 16 years ago

similar premise to polyvore http://www.polyvore.com/

vgurgov• 16 years ago

I think this is very interesting and important experiment for Google. I see it as their willing to answer recent "Google cant innovate", "Why google cant build X", "Why Google isnt social", etc challenges. Would be interesting to see if Google could actually build this "instagr.am" :)

If not about us page, one hardly could see that its a Google. Seems like users are even requested to create a new account on that site instead of using google's account.

Very interesting experiment, cant wait to see how it goes.

RBr4• 16 years ago

I don't think that Boutiques.com was a departure from what Google is already good at. Boutiques.com contributes to their core product (search).

On the surface, it looks like Google has defined a long list of fashion ecommerce sites to search. Then, they pepper in some Google Images functionality along with a base template designed to encourage engagement.

This sounds a lot a specialized, properly linked version of Google Images more than innovation.

I think that Google should be investing more in startups if they want to increase innovation. Creating products that contribute to their core product is exactly what I'd do if I was the CEO of Google.... which based on my bank balance, I'm not :)

primigenus• 16 years ago

The way you talk about "innovation" makes me wonder what your definition is. Is "a specialized, properly linked version of Google Images", especially one with as specific a market as this one, not innovative?

arondeparon• 16 years ago

What amazes me the most is the fact that Google decided to brand this as a product of it's own. Nothing on the website seems to indicate this is a Google product.

This seems to be quite a step utilizing the aquisition of Like.com (and Riya with it). Very interested in seeing how this develops and why Google is taking this approach.

processing• 16 years ago

Interesting "Boutiques.com charges merchants to include products on this website in most cases." in the footer of the text. Adwords 2.0? Google could roll this out into other leading verticals and run with CPA too. Great to see this innovation from Google.

cosmicray• 16 years ago

Basically, Google is creating an advertising tier. Those who can pay get to be displayed in Boutiques.com, those who cannot end up on Google Products, eBay, or any of a thousand other venues. Google is in effect, creating a specialty sub-section of Amazon. Keep in mind that Amazon has restricted the entry of new resellers for clothing. Sounds like the market is getting a bit crowded.

clistctrl• 16 years ago

I didn't read the article (I went straight to the site) i'm curious why it only has ladies fashion?

RBr4• 16 years ago

I figured it was because of the search volumes.

rms• 16 years ago

Men's fashion is a much smaller segment of the market than women's.

th0ma5• 16 years ago

The FAQ through their support (listed in another post here) mentions that they want to get women's clothing working good first and then they will be adding men's clothing in the future.

zoomzoom• 16 years ago

I am surprised that they didn't buy boutiques.com too...

richcollins2• 16 years ago

Google needs to refocus on their search, which now sucks and whose results are filled with pages from content stealers and content farms. Instead they're jumping into new markets and wasting their time on UI tweaks (like the new result preview).

brown9-2• 16 years ago

Who says they can't do both? They have over 10,000 employees.

richcollins2• 16 years ago

They obviously can't do both as evidenced by the poor quality of the results.

Google Debuts Fashion Shopping Site (Boutiques.com)

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