Pointy from Google is offering free Pointy devices to small and medium retailers in Ireland, enabling them to display their in-store products online. Irish retailers who connect with Pointy in the next six months will also get €100 ad credit to trial Pointy’s Product Ads feature.
Pointy works by creating a connection between physical stores and Google so that their products can appear in local Google search results, which can help attract shoppers in the surrounding area to the store.
Commenting, Mark Cummins, General Manager, Pointy said, “Being visible online has become critical for brick and mortar retailers throughout the pandemic, but that can be a challenge for smaller retailers who may not have the resources to build and maintain an e-commerce platform. Pointy creates an online presence for these retailers automatically, to help them showcase their product offering.”
Irish shoppers are actively supporting local retailers, and 66% of people who shop local say they are doing so in a conscious effort to support local businesses. Displaying products on Google will help these retailers leverage current consumer sentiment and encourage more footfall to their stores, as consumers can see that the products they are searching for online can be bought locally.
“Pointy is an essential tool for businesses in Ireland,” said Lorraine Higgins, Secretary General, Digital Business Ireland. “Helping online shoppers find the products they need in their area is a new way for businesses to connect with their customers and boost their visibility in an ever-competitive digital marketplace”.
COVID-19 continues to challenge retailers and the economic impact on small and medium businesses has been severe. Google is committed to helping these businesses recover. With a 100% increase in searches for “available near me” since last year, these new tools will help Irish retailers reach more customers and ultimately drive sales.
Setting up and using Pointy is simple and efficient, taking only minutes. Qualifying businesses simply scan their products with a standard barcode scanner to add them to Google, making their inventory visible to local shoppers, along with their store location, opening hours and contact details.
To sign up retailers should visit: pointy.com/ireland.