Use Google Maps to See If Your Holiday Gift Is in Stock
In the digital age, gift giving has become easier than ever, with online stores offering a wide range of options. However, there are times when our favorite online store may not have the item we need or may not deliver it before Christmas morning, forcing us to resort to the old-fashioned way of shopping.
Luckily, technology can help those who prefer to shop in person at the last minute or are looking for unique items that are hard to find at major department stores. The latest update to the Google Maps app brings several improvements, including weather updates showing how snow and flooding affect traffic flow and the location of electric vehicle charging stations. However, the most useful feature is the search function, which helps you find gifts at nearby stores.
For example, if you forgot it was your turn to cook the Thanksgiving turkey, the search function will lead you to an open grocery store that sells butterballs. This feature works seamlessly in both the app and desktop and includes improvements to the Popular Times feature. These improvements include detailed traffic forecasts and expected store footfall, which will be especially useful for shoppers who prefer to carefully plan their Black Friday shopping route.
Perhaps, like me, you heard the rumor that LEGO was discontinuing the Ideas Typewriter Set, which made you realize that now is the perfect opportunity to finally build it so you can proudly display it on your bookshelf. However, since it is becoming increasingly difficult to find, I decided to check out Google Maps’ search function to save time and effort.
First, I typed “LEGO typewriter set” into the search bar and a list of stores popped up almost instantly. Some listings direct me to nearby Target and Walmart stores, but they don’t provide information about whether those locations actually have the Ideas Typewrite set in stock. (It’s worth noting, however, that these major retailers have apps that allow shoppers to check their inventory and sales prices separately. By sharing this information with Google, shoppers won’t be able to see in-store holiday sales.)
Another listing is for a LEGO Store in a shopping center on the other side of town. Below the location and opening hours it says that LEGO Bricks and Bricks are in stock and that their selection has been updated today. I clicked on the ad and was given the option to search for items in the store. I again clicked on the overview of the store’s most popular items and the option to search for other items in the search bar. I typed in “typewriter” but was told that my search didn’t match any shopping results from the LEGO Store, which led me to believe it was likely out of stock.
Finally, I scrolled down to a Barnes and Noble store located a little off the beaten path, where a blue check mark confirms that the LEGO Ideas Typewriter is “In Stock.” I drove 10 miles and upon arrival noticed a LEGO Ideas typewriter behind the register. With a five-minute Google Maps search, I potentially saved hours of driving around the city, making the search a success.
Google Maps’ new product search feature only seems to work for stores that update their inventory online , and if you’re looking for something specific. For example, searching for “turkey” to find grocery stores that have it in stock leads me to Istanbul instead. However, when I search for “frozen turkey” I get home and the only stores that have the birds in stock are Fry’s Food and Drug, although it’s possible that Whole Foods and Aldi also have them in their inventory.
Using this feature also means that your local gift shop may not be included in search results. As a big fan of Field Notes, a Midwestern company that designs attractive notebooks, I know I can always find them at a local store near my home. When I use the Google Maps search feature, the store I usually go to isn’t even listed, just Barnes and Noble. Since the national chain already has my LEGO money, I’d rather support local makers with my fancy notebooks. The new Google Maps feature doesn’t give me that option.
There are still some bugs to be ironed out, but for the most part, Google Maps’ new product search feature can make your holiday shopping a success.