Google to Open Physical Retail Store in New York City

Google is taking a step outside the digital realm to open a physical retail store, in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.

“Today, we’re announcing our plans to open Google’s first-ever physical retail store, in one of the greatest cities in the world: New York,” Google’s Jason Rosenthal writes in the announcement. “The new Google Store in Chelsea will be a space where customers can experience our hardware and services in a helpful way. We’ll be opening our doors to the public in summer 2021.”

The company explained that it will offer an extensive selection of products at the Google Store, ranging from Pixel devices to Nest smart home products. It will also set up immersive experiences at the location, allowing customers to try out all Google products before making a purchase. Furthermore, Google will have experts on hand at the store to help buyers and existing customers make the most out of their devices, troubleshoot issues, and repair damaged devices.

“At the Google Store, customers will be able to browse and buy an extensive selection of products made by Google, ranging from Pixel phones to Nest products, Fitbit devices to Pixelbooks and more,” the announcement reads.

The store will also be a destination where customers can pick up orders made on the company’s online store. In addition, the store will offer product repairs, troubleshooting help, and “how-to workshops,” which will be hosted throughout the year.

Google said it chose Manhattan for the store because it already has a company campus in the Chelsea area; in 2018, it spent more than $2 billion USD to acquire Chelsea Market.

And seeing as the pandemic continues to be a global issue, Google will require masks, hand sanitation, and social distancing throughout the retail space.

“We’ll clean all spaces multiple times a day,” Rosenthal says of its COVID plans. “The number of guests inside will be limited to ensure our customers feel safe during their shopping experience, and easy pickup options will also be available. We will continue to closely follow the guidance of the local and national authorities to adapt our health and safety procedures as needed.”

The coming Google Store is part of an existing Google campus in the neighborhood that has 11,000 employees, and Google says it sees the retail space as a natural expansion of its commitment to the city. The company also hinted it could build more retail locations if the first store is a success.

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