Google Will Open Retail Stores

Google is expanding out of its Mountain View haven and into the hangouts of America. According to an “extremely reliable source,” the search giant will roll out a retail initiative by opening up multiple flagship Google Stores in time for the holidays. Instead of relying on Google Play to get your Nexus 4, all you’ll need to do is drive on down to your favorite Google hangout.

“The mission of the stores is to get new Google Nexus, Chrome and especially upcoming products into the hands of prospective constumers,” 9to5Google said. The source added that Google has plenty of potential customers on the market, but they don’t have the opportunity to try the company’s stuff out—a try-before-you-buy situation. Stores will be Google’s solution, and potentially lead to increased sales.

Google currently offers smaller store-within-a-store options inside Best Buy locations in the U.S., but those only focus on Chromebooks. The source claims an actual Google retail store would have a much broader approach since the company pretty much offers an entire lineup of products now. We have to agree.

“The decision to open stores, I’m told, came when drawing up plans to take the google Glass to the public,” 9to5Google said. The only way consumers would be comfortable with purchasing such a (potentially) futuristic tech is if they could try it out first. The store idea was born around that, and it only makes sense to sell everything Google offers.

Apple has absolutely perfected the retail experience, and it’s a huge part of the company’s success. Apple CEO Tim Cook recently admitted that Apple Stores are much more than just a place to hock gadgets, but a wonderful advantage in community mind share.

Google wants a piece of that. More here.