An updated set of tips is now available here

Google shopping is the feature with a thousand names. Or maybe just three. Google shopping/Google base/Google product search offers those with an ecommerce website an opportunity to appear within the organic search results under high search volume terms. I have used the electrical industry (probably not the best example due to the competitive nature) as a focal point of my post. Dependant on the competition, the niche category of your products and the amount of products you stock it is possible to increase visibility to your product catalogue through Google product search.

Side note: You can sign up to Google product through the following url:

http://www.google.com/merchants/

Ranking Factors for Google Products
The ranking factors listed are probably the most clear and noticeable ranking factors available. You may want to test alternative factors (extra data fields) however getting the basics right will help rank quickly and effectively.