Katie Marsal
The head of Google's Android devision has shot down rumors that his company is planning to enter the retail space and directly sell the company's hardware to consumers.
Andy Rubin said in a roundtable at this week's Mobile World Congress that he feels there is no need for Google to create its own retail stores, according to All Things D. Rubin said customers no longer need to go into a store and "feel" products to make a decision, because most consumers talk to their friends and read reviews online.
He also doesn't think Google's hardware division is mature enough at this point to warrant dedicated retail stores. The company sells a series of Nexus-branded phones and tablets, along with its own Chromebook laptops.
Rubin said at this week's show in Barcelona, Spain, that his company has nothing to announce, and even went as far as to say that Google as "no plans" to open its own stores.
Reports first cropped up last week claiming that Google is developing plans to build its own brick-and-mortar outlets to sell Google-branded products like the Nexus 7 tablet and Nexus 4 smartphone. However, that report said Google may not open its own stores until 2014, which could give the search giant more time to flesh out its hardware offerings.
Of course, Google's chief rival, Apple, has had tremendous success with its own retail stores — outfits that now serve as the "face" of the company for many customers. And Microsoft got into the retail game in 2009, and has gradually expanded its own stores, which are frequently located in close proximity to existing Apple storefronts.
Andrew Orr
William Gallagher
AppleInsider Staff
Malcolm Owen
Wesley Hilliard
38 Comments
Ah, ok, so no then. What? Any Rubin says so? Right¡ Fair enough, he does say: "doesn't think Google's hardware division is mature enough at this point to warrant dedicated retail stores" so possibly more copying needs to be done before copying the stores then.
Interesting. Google essentially continues to ignore the vast sea of issues with Android including lack of support. Google Stores would have (possibly) effectively addressed the support issues.
Interesting.
Google essentially continues to ignore the vast sea of issues with Android including lack of support.
Google Stores would have (possibly) effectively addressed the support issues.
I think you are kidding ! Contrary to an internet transaction, in a Store, you have the customer physically present in front of you. So you have to do something to address his questions, criticisms, claims ..... very demanding ... what we heard is consistent with Google's policy , so far ...
Yea - I think they simply do not have enough products to justify the expense of going retail.
Staff, rents, insurance, training and all the rest - to sell what, a handful of products.
Better for them to stay Internet based - for now.
[quote name="MacBook Pro" url="/t/156185/google-denies-plans-to-build-its-own-retail-stores#post_2284272"]Interesting. Google essentially continues to ignore the vast sea of issues with Android including lack of support. Google Stores would have (possibly) effectively addressed the support issues.[/quote] What support issues? When Nexus One launched, Google thought it could sell directly to customers over the Internet without sales support from carriers, and support the thing using just email and web searches. For the "root-it-yourself" crowd. Stores and Genius Bars are for people who can't memorize the specs of every elite Android phone on the market. Google doesn't need stores. It's not their way.