April 06, 2006

Google Base Storms Into Europe

From webpronews.com:

"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. "


I like that last bit - 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.

The article goes on to suggest that Google team up with UPS for the distribution center. I wonder if that would work.

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