Report: Google May Open Its Own Retail Stores

Rumors are suggesting that Google may be considering opening its own retail stores, just as competitors Apple and Microsoft have done. The outlets would provide a place for Google to demonstrate and sell Chromebooks, Nexus tablets and Google Glass.

9to5Google’s Seth Weintraub first broke the story, writing, “An extremely reliable source has confirmed to us that Google is in the process of building stand-alone retail stores in the U.S. and hopes to have the first flagship Google Stores open for the holidays in major metropolitan areas. The mission of the stores is to get new Google Nexus, Chrome, and especially upcoming products into the hands of prospective customers.”

CNET’s Zach Miners noted that “Online, Google’s products are currently sold through its Play digital storefront and through Amazon and some other retailers. Some products can also be bought in pop-up or smaller stores within Best Buy and Staples.”

Earlier this month, Bloomberg BusinessWeek’s Neil Callanan reported, Google Inc. may open its first stand-alone retail store at its European headquarters in Dublin, according to a filing by the world’s most popular search engine. The Google Store would be open to the public and sell unspecified ‘Google merchandise,’ Google’s Irish unit said in a local planning application. Located in Dublin’s Montevetro office block, the shop would include about 123 square meters (1,323 square feet) of space with an added mezzanine floor extension. ‘While we do have the option to open retail space, we are examining all potential uses,’ the Mountain View, California- based company said today in an e-mailed statement. ‘No final decision has been taken.'”

But last December, Google’s Sameer Samat told All Things D, “We aren’t planning on being a retailer. We don’t view being a retailer right now as the right decision.”