Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Google Goes Street Smart,Takes The Retail Store Plunge

Till now Google Inc was known as the best search engine, soon it expanded its services into the e-commerce sector by help merchants sell online.

But just don't be surprised if you see "Google-Stores" and we actually mean the brick-n-mortar kinds, in U.S cities by the end of 2013.

Taking a leaf out of its competitors books - Apple and Microsoft, Google too will sell its merchandise through retail stores as per an "extremely reliable source" report by 9to5Google. The first stores are expected to open in its European base, Dublin while American cities will have to wait till the holiday season.

Despite stories doing rounds, Google Inc's media wing has not definitely affirmed this report. The spokesperson issued a statement that "No final decision has been taken".

Currently Google sells most of its merchandise and services online with a handful of pop-up stores in collaboration with tech firms like Best Buy in U.S and Dixon's in the U.K.

However, this move is a clear indicator that for one it wants to compete effectively with its industry rivals. Secondly, it is a move to expand its business avenues outside its "Chrome Zones".

Even though both Apple and Microsoft are also effective "Soft Powers", but it is clearly Google that rules the roost when it comes to the Web. On the flip side, Google competitors are a notch higher when it comes to retail operations.

While Apple has roughly 400 stores, with 30 more in the tow by the year end, Microsoft too has 51 permanent and semi-permanent operational stores.

Seth Weintraub, 9to5Google's reporter suggests that "The mission of the stores is to get new Google Nexus, Chrome, and especially upcoming products into the hands of prospective customers. Google feels right now that many potential customers need to get hands-on experience with its products before they are willing to purchase. Google competitors Apple and Microsoft both have retail outlets where customers can try before they buy".

Google's road ahead is surely not totally difficult because it has a market reputation that customers identify with. With the introduction of its Project Glass, the retail outlets with the prospective product available for trial, will only add to consumer experience. The customers can are after all investing anywhere between $500 to $1,000 of their money into Google's technology.

This street-smart business strategy is yet another feather in Google achievements. But hopefully it will certainly not lead us away from its primary identity.

You can read the complete first report here.

Share with us your thoughts and opinions about Google's retailing ventures. Would you love to see such stores in your neighbourhood or do you still prefer the online version of Google marketing?

Stay tuned for more Google stories with E-junkie.

Source: http://www.e-junkie.info/2013/02/google-goes-street-smarttakes-retail.html

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