Google Checkout offering discounts on back-to-school purchases

Hundreds of retailers are participating in a back-to-school promotion sponsored by Google Checkout, Google Inc. says. Shoppers get $5 off purchases of $30 or more and $10 off purchases of $60 or more.

The promotion, announced in a Google Checkout blog posting by product marketing manager Christian Yee, runs until September 9. It covers several categories including apparel and accessories, consumer electronics, home and dorm furnishings, sports and fitness, and personal care.

Participating retailers and examples of their promotions include The North Face with a school backpack offered for a $5 discount at $33.95 and Blue Nile with a $45 Sterling Silver bookmark offered for $40.

Google Checkout is a payment service Google introduced two years ago that lets consumers pay with address and payment information stored with Google.