Google announced its plan to open its first brick-and-mortar retail store in New York City. Expect the tech giant's Pixel smartphones, Nest devices, and more!
Specifically, the new store will be in Chelsea, New York, and its doors are about to open in June 2021, the company wrote on its blog. One of the close landmarks would be -- the Apple Store. It is also close to the NYC offices of Google.
Google Store: What To Expect Inside?
The retail shop, called Google Store, will be filled with products made by the tech giant -- as expected.
Google, in its blog, announced that its "extensive selection of products" will be available to the customers in their soon-to-open store. Visitors should expect the Pixel smartphones, Nest speakers, Pixelbooks, Fitbit smartwatches, and other products that the company wishes to add soon.
If customers prefer, these products may also be bought on GoogleStore.com and be picked up at the store.
But aside from the wide range of products that Google plans to flaunt, there will be services that its current and future users may need. The company will also offer repair and troubleshooting services in its physical store.
There will be how-to workshops, as well, for visitors curious about their products -- in hopes that they would buy it after test driving it.
Google Store and COVID-19 protocols
As the COVID-19 pandemic changed the normal ways of life, the Google Store will not be spared. However, the company will not let the pandemic get in the way of its customers' desire to experience their products before purchasing them.
To create a safe shopping experience, Google vowed that all spaces of the shop will be cleaned throughout the day. The company said in the same blog that it will require customers to wear masks (similar to Apple Stores), sanitize their hands, and practice social distancing.
Also, Google will only allow a limited number of guests inside their future store.
Other Attempts of a Google Store
It is not the first time that Google thought of the idea of building a physical store. According to Forbes, the company has, in the past, launched pop-up shops to showcase their new products.
But aside from the temporary small shops, Google has been selling its devices online. On the other hand, it has partnered with Best Buy and Walmart to have its in-person showcase of products, PYMNTS.com reports.
In 2015, Ars Technica reported that Google leased a 5,000-square-foot retail space of what seems like a "flagship" store. But the said plan did not come to fruition.
Apple, on the contrary, has had its retail store for 20 years now. It has improved, ever since, its retail store even offers one-day delivery. And, on April 10, it is opening another store in Bronx, New York.
Related Article: Google and Samsung Team Up to Merge Wear OS and Tizen - Will It Better Compete with Apple's watchOS?
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Written by Teejay Boris
