Google excited for first brick-and-mortar store in India

Google excited for first brick-and-mortar store

Google is all set to launch its first physical retail store in India, which will be its foray into brick-and-mortar retail outside the United States. According to a recent report by Reuters, this strategic move will be aimed at boosting its presence in one of its fastest-growing markets.

Store Locations: In New Delhi and Mumbai

As per Google, they are in the final stages of securing locations for its flagship stores in New Delhi and Mumbai. The tech giant is also considering Gurugram as another potential location, while Bengaluru was evaluated earlier in the process.

The planned stores are expected to be spread across around 15,000 square feet and may open within the next six months. These outlets will showcase its hardware ecosystem, including Pixel smartphones, smartwatches, and earbuds.

Reason Behind this Plan –Google Excited for first brick-and-mortar store

Google aims to increase the Pixel’s mind share and showcase the latest Pixel features with these brick-and-mortar stores. The stores focus on leaving consumers with a new Android experience and knowledge rather than trying to convert them to a Pixel device

Increasing Pixel’s presence:

Google Pixel’s presence in the U.S. smartphone market has grown over the past few years, but the brand still ranks third behind Apple and Samsung in terms of premium smartphone sales. The company has done a lot in terms of marketing sponsorships over the past few years, from major partnerships with the WNBA and NBA to celebrating 50 years of music and hip-hop and supporting small and POC-owned businesses. Opening another Experience Store will help make Pixel accessible to people who aren’t fully aware of its offerings.

The return of in-person shopping: After the COVID-19 pandemic, life has been very much “digital first” for consumers in terms of shopping. But others like Google and Verizon, which is opening hundreds of new ‘Total by Verizon’ locations across the country, are betting on a better-personalized customer experience.

Demonstrating the Pixels’ capabilities: All the reps at the new Store came with their own working Pixel devices to demonstrate Gemini’s large language model (LLM), LaMDA, on the spot or highlight the Pixel’s prowess in photography and GenAI tools like Magic Eraser. Customers should walk out of the store with at least some knowledge of the software capabilities of the latest Pixel hardware lineup. The Pixel has a lot of features to offer, but sometimes it’s difficult for consumers to fully understand all the capabilities of these devices

Why did Google choose India? –Google excited for first brick-and-mortar store

Challenging Apple’s retail dominance in India

This move reflects Apple’s retail strategy in India. According to Counterpoint Research, Apple is set to open its flagship stores in Mumbai and New Delhi in 2023 and currently holds a 55% market share in the premium smartphone segment. In contrast, Google’s Pixel smartphones account for just 2% of the premium market share. The launch of physical stores is expected to increase brand visibility and help better compete with Apple in India’s high-end smartphone market.

Boosting local manufacturing efforts

The retail expansion aligns with Google’s effort to increase local production of its Pixel smartphones, supporting the Indian government’s “Make in India” initiative. Establishing a local presence through retail outlets will not only strengthen Google’s hold but also help meet the growing demand for premium smartphones in India.

Current sales limited to authorized retail partners

Currently, Google sells its devices in India exclusively through authorized retail partners and e-commerce platforms. With the launch of physical stores, the company aims to provide a more immersive shopping experience, allowing customers to see Google’s hardware products first-hand.

A new chapter for Google in India

While the official launch timeline is yet to be confirmed, Google’s first retail stores could significantly expand its presence in the Indian market. As the company gears up to compete directly with Apple, Indian consumers can soon expect a premium, hands-on retail experience from the tech giant.