Google First Retail Stores Outside the US Coming to India Soon:Report

Consultants Review Team

Alphabet inc’s Google is planning to open its first retail store in India, it will be Google’s first retail store outside the U.S. They are planning to invest 10 billion USD as they count India as a key growth market. Currently, Google has only five physical stores, all based in the US, where it sells products such as Pixel phones, watches, and earbuds.

Google stores will likely be around 15,000 square feet and a minimum of six months will take to open the stores. Google will display its own products to rival Apple's successful retail approach, which has generated billions over the last twenty years.

While Apple operates over 500-plus stores worldwide, Google is wrapping up the process of obtaining sites in or around New Delhi, India's capital, and Mumbai, India's financial capital. While Bengaluru, the IT city of South India, was under consideration,New Delhi and Mumbai are still the top picks. Google is now eyeing the luxury segment to rival Apple. If the maiden stores take off, more will follow.

Apple and Google currently sell their products through authorized retailers in India. But in 2023 Tim Cook visited India and Apple held a launch event for its first company operated store in Mumbai, which was later followed by one in New Delhi. Pixel phones are priced around 370-2000 USD, while iPhones are in the category of approximately 520-2130 USD. Rumors are also claimed that Google plans to assemble Pixel smartphones in India.

The decision by Google to open its stores has been made but there is some standard regulatory compliance that these stores must meet before their establishment. The location under consideration by Google is Gurugram, a satellite city near New Delhi, which is home to international firms such as Uber and Meta, as well as retail outlets of Uniqlo.