Lightspeed Integrates Google Tools Amid Shop Local Movement

Montreal-based Lightspeed, a leading provider of cloud-based, omnichannel commerce platforms, announced this week that it will integrate Google tools directly into its platform to help independent businesses as they reopen with a goal of expanding in-store capacity. The integration will allow independent retailers to manage various Google tools directly in their Lightspeed commerce platform at no additional cost. 

New data from Google suggests that consumers are interested in shopping local with many starting their journey online. Remarkably, searches for “local” + “business(es)” have grown by more than 80% year over year, including searches such as “local businesses near me” and “support local businesses.” Furthermore, searches for “who has” + “in stock” have grown by more than 8,000% year over year, including searches such as “who has gym equipment in stock.”

The Lightspeed and Google collaboration integrates three crucial tools directly into the Lightspeed platform: Google Local Inventory Ads, Google Smart Shopping Campaigns, and Google My Business. The integration includes: 

• Google Local Inventory Ads: Retailers can reach local customers with local inventory ads, from directly within the Lightspeed platform. These ads help nearby shoppers know what they have in stock, driving more visits to their physical shop.
• Google Smart Shopping Campaigns: Today’s consumers are shopping across platforms and devices, online and offline, seamlessly. With Smart Shopping campaigns, products are eligible to show up across all of Google’s properties and reach users wherever, and whenever, they’re searching or consuming content.
• Google My Business: Lightspeed customers can get and manage a professional Google My Business listing straight from Lightspeed’s commerce platform. Retailers can keep customers up to date with their latest information, whether it’s store hours or COVID-19 safety protocols in place.

Enabling access to these digital tools directly within the Lightspeed platform strategically aligns with Lightspeed’s goal to simplify entrepreneurship and level the playing field for independent merchants. Combined with the Lightspeed Supplier Network, the integration creates a seamless path for local retailers to scale their omnichannel businesses.

“We know that so much of business today starts with a Google search,” said Lightspeed CEO Dax Dasilva, “By combining forces, Lightspeed and Google are eliminating the pain points that prevent SMBs from effectively promoting their products online to the communities who prefer to shop local, providing them a springboard to simplify and scale their businesses as they prepare for the welcomed return of in-store shopping.”

“Small and medium sized businesses have been hit the hardest during the pandemic, but globally we’ve seen a rallying cry to support them,” says Sabrina Geremia, VP & Country Director, Google Canada. “Customers are shopping both online and in-store and expect a seamless shopping experience between both. As we look towards recovery, this integration with Lightspeed will provide a scalable solution for Lightspeed merchants of all sizes looking to reach customers in this new omnichannel reality”

Google My Business and Local Inventory Ad integrations are currently available to all Lightspeed retail customers. Lightspeed’s Smart Shopping Campaign capability will become available in the coming months.

*Partner content. To work with Retail Insider, contact: craig@retail-insider.com