Google's Andy Rubin Shoots Down Rumors of Google Retail Stores

[dgstorm]

If you were excited (like us) at the prospect of checking out new Nexus devices and X Phones inside a live Google Retail Outlet, you may be sadly disappointed by today's news. Apparently, Andy Rubin (head of Android) himself just shot down the rumors. During a roundtable event at Mobile World Congress today, Mr. Rubin effectively nixed the idea that Google would be turning the Google Play Store into a physical thing. Here's a quote with more details,

Despite reports that Google has been eyeing real estate for physical stores, Android chief Andy Rubin says the company really doesn’t need its own retail effort.

A few years ago, consumers needed to touch and feel devices, but these days they can often get the information they need to make a purchase decision by talking to friends and reading reviews.

“They don’t have to go in the store and feel it anymore,” Rubin said, during a roundtable with reporters at Mobile World Congress on Tuesday.

Plus, he said, the Google hardware effort is still in its infancy. “For Nexus, I don’t think the program is far enough along to think about the necessity of having these things in a retail store,” he said.

As for whether Google as a whole might nonetheless be considering retail stores, “Google has no plans and we have nothing to announce,” he said.

That seems like a pretty definitive response. One could argue that plausible deniability after the fact is definitely a strategy employed over the years when something gets leaked. Regardless, it doesn't change our enthusiasm for any of the amazing products Google will be showing off in May. How about you guys?

Source: AllThingsD

 

[johnomaz]

Good. I don't think they would work anyways. Not enough Google products since they rely on other manufacturers to put their OS on devices.

 

[jspradling7]

A more cost effective approach would be to put kiosks in malls and stores like Walmart. The traffic is within arms reach of your display. Let another comapany deal with the headaches of running a brick and mortar store and just lease a small corner of it.

 

[cobravnm13]

That's understandable. It would be more plausible if they manufactured their own hardware.