Google is opening retail stores. The search engine giant has opened a store in New York. This is the first-ever retail store of Google in the world. Google will display both hardware and software products at the store. Customers can visit the store to browse and buy products. It is spread in an area of 5,000 square feet. Google said that it will display an extensive selection of products. Pixel phones, Stadia, WearOS, Fitbit devices and more will be available at the store. The store is one of the retail stores with a LEED Platinum rating in the world. Google CEO Sundar Pichai said that he will visit the store when travels to New York.
A Post Office and Starbucks previously occupied the location of Google’s new retail store. However, they vacated the space after the expiry of their respective leases. Google has filled its retail store with sandboxes, giving scenarios similar to a living room. The company has also provided a separate gaming zone inside the store. Visitors can play Stadia in the gaming area. Besides, there is a soundproof spot inside the store. It can be used for testing Google’s products like Home/Nest. Other services that Google is providing include repairing devices. Customers can check-in in to repair Pixel devices. Visitors can experience at the store how Google products and services work together.
Google said that it will follow the guidelines and safety measures issued by the authorities. The company said that customers will have to follow Covid protocols to gain entry. Face masks, hand sanitation, and social distancing have been made mandatory to visit the store. Also, Google has decided to cap the number of guests visiting the store due to Covid. It said that the store will open a window for customers to directly interact with a variety of products. Google has been in New York for almost two decades. It underlined that the retail store in the city is a natural extension of the company’s long-time commitment to New York.