Google retail stores might be a smart move, analysts say - lujancoldingaze

Opening its own brick-and-mortar retail stores could help Google sell more than of its Chromebooks, Nexus tablets, and other computer hardware, analysts said, reacting to online reports that Google may soon be forthcoming to the local anaesthetic shopping mall.

Google is in the process of building its personal retail stores and hopes to have the primary stores open in time for the holidays in John R. Major U.S. metropolitan areas, according to a report Fri in 9to5Google, which cited an unknown, "passing trusty" reference.

"Google feels right now that many potential customers pauperization to get active experience with its products before they are willing to purchase," the website according.

Raising product visibility

Google's Humanoid is already the dominant mobile operational system for smartphones, but the company is nerve-wracking to clear greater inroads with its laptop computers, known Eastern Samoa Chromebooks, and its Link tablets.

The accompany is also developing Google Glass, a head-mounted augmented world system of rules that people would wear to give them rattling-time information throughout the day. And Google now owns Motorola's handset business.

Online, Google's products are currently sold through its Wreak digital storefront and through Amazon and just about different retailers. Some products can besides Be bought in pop-up surgery smaller stores within Better Buy and Staples.

Logical step

Merely having its own retail stores could increase consumer consciousness around its growing line of physical products and potentially increase sales, analysts say.

"I wouldn't put it past Google to do this," said Ben Bajarin, primary analyst with Atomic number 14 Vale-based Creative Strategies.

Regardless of whether the products are actually bought in the store, the scheme could serve evidence their value, helium said. Google's mobile devices are non pushed in physical stores comparable Best Purchase as effectively as they should represent, he said. "The stores' gross sales teams push different products different weeks," he said.

"Google does non rich person as some products as Apple, but it has enough to justify a physical retail presence," agreed Greg Sterling, older analyst with Opus Research.

Steady if consumers don't buy the product on the spot, they could get a better feel for it in a physiological store staffed by Google employees than they could by reading about it online, Greatest said, especially for a cutting-edge product like Glass.

But Google will have to think with kid gloves about its coming. Afterward all, Gateway went the retail path to sell its personal computers and accessories, "but that largely failed," Sterling noted.

Zach Miners covers social networking, explore and general technology news for IDG News Service. Follow Zach on Twitter at @zachminers. Zach's netmail address is zach_miners@idg.com