Google Express Launches Shopping and Delivery Service in Austin

The search engine giant, Google, want to deliver packages to shoppers in Austin through its Google Express service.

Google on Wednesday launched the service, which offers overnight and two-day shopping and delivery service, in Austin and surrounding areas. It also launched the service in Oklahoma and other Texas markets including Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth. Google Express is not yet available in San Antonio.

Google Express lets Austin residents shop using their phones or computers online at stores like Costco and Whole Foods and delivers goods to their doorstep.

The on-demand delivery service competes with Amazon’s Prime one-hour delivery, Instacart and Austin-based Favor.

Google Express launched in 2013 in San Francisco and Silicon Valley. The company has greatly expanded the scope of its service. Its now available in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Washington, D.C. and other areas. In some markets, Google Express offers one hour delivery.

Google Express began delivering produce, meat, eggs and other perishable goods in February in San Francisco and Los Angeles, according to the Wall Street Journal.

“Our goal with Google Express is to offer a great shopping experience and connect people with their favorite stores,” Brian Elliott, general manager of Google Express, said in a news release. “Today, we’re very excited to be further expanding our efforts — making it easy for millions in Texas, Oklahoma and beyond to get things they need from stores they love — delivered fast.

The Google Express service is available with a $95 annual membership or $4.99 for each order. Google offers a free six month trial membership.

Google Express provides overnight delivery for Barnes & Noble, Costco, PetSmart, Walgreens and Whole Foods Market. Two day delivery is available for Fry’s, Guitar Center, L’Occitane, Ulta, Vitamin Shop, Moosejaw, Sur La Table, Ace Hardware, Kohl’s, Treasure Island Foods, Roadrunner Sports, Bed Bath & Beyond, buybuy Baby