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One of the biggest acquisitions by Woolworths last year was the purchase of EziBuy, the homewares and clothing giant. The acquisition cost Woolworths $306 million dollars but is expected to compliment their business perfectly.

EziBuy has been in operation since it was founded in 1978 by a couple of brothers in the city of Palmerston North, New Zealand.

The company originally started as a mail order service but has since expanded with a popular website. A large part of the company’s sales come from Australia even though the company is New Zealand based.  The company has a strong EziBuy promotion code based sales method.

EziBuy allows Woolworths to expand it’s consumer reach further than it does now. Woolworths currently do not have a strong online shopping presence and the acquisition of EziBuy provides Woolworths a platform to find areas of growth.

The purchase of EziBuy highlights the growing value of online stores and competitors to Woolworths will be looking at this acquisition very closely.

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Google has launched a new service to web users called Google Trusted Stores. The idea behind the trusted stores program is that they are allowing consumers to have better protection and knowledge when shopping online.

Google stores allow you to view various feedback criteria against the online store with reviews provided by consumers who have shopped at that store. Criteria include the customer service and dispatch times.

Stores that are part of the Google Trusted Stores program have a protection program in place provided by Google meaning that if as a consumer, you have issues with the store you purchased from, Google will cover you for up to $1000.

The service has been running with some retailers in the US but has now started it’s roll-out to stores in Australia. They have signed on a few of Australia’s largest online retailers including SurfStitch, DealsDirect and others.

The stores will receive a new Google Trusted Stores badge which consumers can click to see the feedback of that store.

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