Google is nearing the completion of its plans to establish its inaugural physical retail stores outside the United States, with India identified as the target market, as reported by Reuters. The technology company has pledged an investment of $10 billion in India and currently operates a mere five physical stores, all located within the U.S., where it offers products such as Pixel smartphones, smartwatches, and earbuds. This strategic move is perceived as an attempt to emulate the successful retail model of Apple, which has significantly contributed to the company’s global revenue. Although Bengaluru was initially considered as a potential location, New Delhi and Mumbai have emerged as the primary candidates for Google’s first retail outlets, according to a source cited by Reuters.
In India, Google has been selling its products through authorized retailers, similar to Apple’s approach prior to the establishment of its own stores. In 2023, Apple CEO Tim Cook inaugurated the company’s first retail locations in Mumbai and New Delhi. Google’s foray into physical retail occurs amid ongoing regulatory and legal challenges in India, including antitrust investigations concerning its in-app billing practices and its market dominance in the smart TV industry.
