The new store is set to open this summer in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City. Google said the store will “be a space where customers can experience our hardware and services in a helpful way.” Customers will be able to buy Pixel phones, Nest devices, Fitbit watches, and other Google-made products. The store’s employees also will be able to fix devices, help with installations, and troubleshoot specific issues. “The new Google Store is an important next step in our hardware journey of providing the most helpful experience of Google, wherever and whenever people need it,” Google wrote in the blog post announcing the store. “We look forward to meeting many of our customers and hearing their feedback on the store, so we can continue to explore and experiment with the possibilities of a physical retail space and build upon the experience.” Since the pandemic started, many stores have begun to offer a buy online, pick up in-store option, and Google said it would provide this choice for customers, as well. Google did not specify if it would open more Google Stores in other locations in the future. The store’s concept seems similar to an Apple Store, though this isn’t the first time a tech company has opened a retail concept to compete with Apple’s well-known store experience.
