Google Base Storms Into Europe

Google wants to drag the clock builders and chocolate makers out of their Old Europe brick-and-mortar mindset into the gleaming silicon-driven online marketplace, preferably with a Google Base account at the foundation of those efforts; we suggest a partnership that could help make this happen.

WebProWorld The expansion of Google into the world of online person-to-person sector with its eBay and told the Financial Times, "Google Base is going to have a huge impact on retailers," and that many of those retailers feel a need to be more competitive online. The search advertising company will have a lot of catching up to do in Europe, where Amazon has relationships with businesses like UK-based Marks and Spencer. Google may have to pitch something beyond its online capabilities, though, according to the FT report: One big UK retailer with no online presence said on Wednesday that Google's retail offer would be of interest if the internet company could also arrange for distribution. This potentially huge task has raised doubts about the long-term business models of other online retailers such as Amazon.com. Doubts over Amazon's distribution don't have much grounding in reality. The company has built up its distribution network over the past decade and does have some knowledge in the area. Google's expertise at distribution probably does not go beyond making a change in a router's access control list and opening up a website. If Google can address the distribution question for those businesses needing that process, they should have an interested audience. The report said Google claimed to have interviewed executives from twenty of Europe's top retailers. Google found them unsatisfied with their online businesses. We can suggest one possible partner for Google should they choose to really get serious about making Base a potent e-commerce solution: UPS. The package shipping company maintains bonded warehouses throughout Europe, which could hold the inventory created by smaller retailers and serve as distribution centers for fulfilling orders made through a Google Base system UPS has extensive knowledge of supply chain management and already offers consulting for these solutions under its Professional Services here.") Drag this to your Bookmarks. Add to document.write("Del.icio.us") | Yahoo! My Web David Utter is a staff writer for Murdok covering technology and business.