Use Google Maps to Find Out If a Holiday Gift Is in Stock

In this digital age, gift-giving has become a breeze, with online retailers offering a wide range of options. However, there are instances when our favorite online retailer may not have the item we're looking for or can't deliver it before Christmas morning, forcing us to resort to the old-fashioned way of shopping.

Thankfully, technology can assist those who prefer to shop in person at the last minute or are searching for unique items not readily available in large department stores. The latest update to the Google Maps app introduces several enhancements, including weather updates indicating how snow and floods affect traffic and charging station locations for electric vehicles. However, the most useful feature is a search function that aids in finding gifts at nearby retailers.

For instance, if you've forgotten it's your turn to cook the turkey on Thanksgiving, the search function will guide you to an open grocery store that stocks Butterballs. This feature operates seamlessly on both the app and desktop and incorporates improvements to the Popular Times feature. These enhancements include detailed traffic predictions and anticipated store crowds, which will be particularly helpful for shoppers who prefer meticulously planning their Black Friday shopping route.

Perhaps you're like me and heard a rumor that LEGO was discontinuing their Ideas Typewriter set, prompting you to realize that now is the perfect opportunity to finally build it so you can proudly display it on your bookshelf. However, since it has become increasingly difficult to find, I decided to put Google Maps' search function to the test to save myself some time and effort.

First, I typed "lego typewriter set" into the Search Bar, and a list of stores appeared almost instantly. Some listings direct me toward nearby Target and Walmart stores, but they don't provide information about whether these locations actually have the Ideas Typewrite set in stock. (It's worth mentioning, though, that these large retailers have apps that customers can use to check their inventory and sale prices separately. When sharing this information on Google, shoppers won't be able to see the store's holiday sales.)

Another listing is The LEGO Store location in the mall across town. Underneath the location and hours information, it states that "LEGO bricks and blocks" are in stock and that their inventory was updated today. I clicked on the listing and was given the option to search for items at the store. I clicked again to an overview of the store's most popular products and the opportunity to search for other items in the search bar. I wrote "typewriter," only to be told my search didn't match any shopping results at The LEGO Store, leading me to believe it likely was not in stock.

Finally, I scrolled down to a Barnes and Noble store a bit off the beaten path, where a blue checkmark confirms that the LEGO Ideas Typewriter is "In Stock." I embarked on a 10-mile drive and upon arrival, spotted the LEGO Ideas Typewriter behind the cashier. Thanks to a five-minute Google Maps search, I potentially saved hours traveling across town, making the search a success.

The new Google Maps product search feature seems to work only for stores that update their inventory online and if you're looking for something specific. For instance, searching for "turkey" to find grocery stores with them in stock takes me to Istanbul instead. However, when I search for "frozen turkey," I'm back home, but the only stores listed with birds in stock are Fry's Food and Drug, when it is entirely possible that Whole Foods and Aldi also have some in their inventory.

Using this feature also means your local gift shop may not be included in your search results. Being a big fan of Field Notes, a Midwest company that designs eye-catching notebooks, I know I can always find some at a local store near my home. When I use the search function on Google Maps, the store I usually go to isn't even listed, just Barnes and Noble stores. Since the nationwide chain already has my LEGO money, I would rather support local for my fancy notebooks. The new Google Maps function doesn't give me the option.

Some bugs need to be worked out, but for the most part, the new product search feature on Google Maps could make your holiday shopping in the right circumstances.