Google yesterday opened up its first store ever where people can experience the products launched in Google’s recent keynote event. The store was opened in Soho, New York.
It is more of a showroom than a store. So you cannot actually purchase any of the Google products from the store. However, the staff present there will help you place an order online or over a telephone. As you would expect, the store is themed in the colours of the search engine giant to give it a Google-ish touch and feel.
With this opening, Google seems to follow its fierce rival Apple’s strategy of offline selling. But, Apple has been long in this business and apparently is one of the leaders as well. So this could be Google testing if offline stores can boost up its sales further.
“This is not even a testing ground, just an extension of the launch. We want people to come in and experience the products.” a Google spokeswoman Chrissy Persico said at the showroom opening event, as reported by Gadgets 360.
With Pixel devices, Google has implemented the concept of both in-house hardware and software which up till now was limited to Apple devices.
At the store, Google has its two new Pixel smartphones, Google Home which is speaker enabled with Google Assistant and Google Daydream View VR headset.
Interestingly, there is an Apple store in Soho as well. Reportedly, the store only saw some 30 odd visitors on its opening morning compared to humongous queues when an iPhone is launched. Well, we should note that the Pixel devices were already launched earlier this month so this store doesn’t happen to serve the same purpose.
However, this store can come handy for customers who like to use the device before purchasing it. For Instance, I always try to take some time out and visit stores like Croma and Reliance Digital to check out the latest hardware available there. I am sure its not just me and such stores by Google will eventually see a lot more crowd if its spread across the country. On the other hand, Google Pixel and Pixel XL in India is currently on pre-order on Flipkart and the e-commerce website has confirmed that it will start shipping the device on October 25th.
Also, at the launch event Google revealed that it has partnered with Croma and Reliance Digital so we might get lucky and see some of the demo units up on shelves on these stores soon.
Pic Credit: Business Insider