Google has launched their first retail outing, choosing Curry’s PC World in the UK to launch their first store-within-a-store outlet at the Curry’s PC World in London’s Tottenham Court Road.
The ‘store’ will be called ‘The Google shop’, will sell a range of hardware including Android phones and tablets, as well as Chromebooks and of course the Chromecast. The shop will also be holding tutorials to show how to use the devices and Google’s apps.
James Elias, the UK marketing director for Google, said:
We’re incredibly excited to launch this space – the first of its kind anywhere in the world – in London with Currys PC World. The pace of innovation of the devices we all use is incredible, yet the way we buy them has remained the same for years. With the Google shop, we want to offer people a place where they can play, experiment and learn about all of what Google has to offer; from an incredible range of devices to a totally-connected, seamless online life. We think it’s a genuinely unique try-before-you-buy experience.
According to the Telegraph article, this is just the start, with Google planning to also launch stores in Currys PC Worlds in Fulham, west London, and Thurrock, Essex.
Google has a fairly close relationship with JB Hifi here in Australia, with the chain the only officially named partner selling the Nexus 6 at retail here. JB Hifi currently operate many counters for brands within their stores – including Samsung and Apple. With that sort of brand push, it’s conceivable that Google could possibly roll something similar out here if the London experiment pays off – fingers crossed.
Would you like to attend a physical Google Store to purchase hardware or receive training on Google products?
I don’t think this would work in Australia. Product knowledge in consumer electronics stores is woeful. How would they manage the tutorials and how to use the devices. I had a hard enough time trying to get sales staff at these places to help me find the right range hood (dimensions and extraction).
Well, to be fair, Currys need to have something in those stores to get people in and fill the space. Last one I went in was deserted.
Who remembers Android land in Melbourne in around 2011-2012?
Yes, I salivated over their one Galaxy tab 7.7 on display there. It was a lovely screen. I recently mentioned it to one of the chaps in the same store and received blank look no recognition.
We need this everywhere!