groveChuck
U-matic Member
Google (GOOG) has a case of Apple (AAPL) Store envy.
The Web search leader is looking to open brick-and-mortar retail locations to extend its brand and sell its Android-based Nexus smartphones and tablets and other products directly to consumers, according to recent media reports.
Google's devices and services would benefit from having knowledgeable sales staff to demonstrate the advantages of their products over alternatives on the market. That's especially true for difficult-to-explain propositions like Google's Chromebooks, its cloud-based notebook computers, and Google TV, the company's Internet TV initiative.
Google stores also could provide a boost for Google Docs, the company's online alternative to Microsoft's (MSFT) pricey Office productivity software suite.
Plus, Google would have a physical presence to show off cool new technology like Google Glasses, its wearable computer displays.
If successful, Google stores could give Apple competition in the retailing of personal technology.
But Google stores could end up being an expensive vanity project like Microsoft's own retail stores, or could flop like Gateway computer stores.
Google wants to paint itself as a "lifestyle brand" and get more consumers thinking about its services, says Scott Steinberg, an analyst with TechSavvy Global.
"Google has strong brand awareness. It has a huge suite of services. But what it may hope to do by venturing out into the retail marketplace is help better tell its story," he told IBD. "Right now when you talk about Google, it's very amorphous. You don't really think about what it stands for."
More:
http://news.investors.com/technolog...stores-for-holiday-2013.htm?ven=yahoocp,yahoo
The Web search leader is looking to open brick-and-mortar retail locations to extend its brand and sell its Android-based Nexus smartphones and tablets and other products directly to consumers, according to recent media reports.
Google's devices and services would benefit from having knowledgeable sales staff to demonstrate the advantages of their products over alternatives on the market. That's especially true for difficult-to-explain propositions like Google's Chromebooks, its cloud-based notebook computers, and Google TV, the company's Internet TV initiative.
Google stores also could provide a boost for Google Docs, the company's online alternative to Microsoft's (MSFT) pricey Office productivity software suite.
Plus, Google would have a physical presence to show off cool new technology like Google Glasses, its wearable computer displays.
If successful, Google stores could give Apple competition in the retailing of personal technology.
But Google stores could end up being an expensive vanity project like Microsoft's own retail stores, or could flop like Gateway computer stores.
Google wants to paint itself as a "lifestyle brand" and get more consumers thinking about its services, says Scott Steinberg, an analyst with TechSavvy Global.
"Google has strong brand awareness. It has a huge suite of services. But what it may hope to do by venturing out into the retail marketplace is help better tell its story," he told IBD. "Right now when you talk about Google, it's very amorphous. You don't really think about what it stands for."
More:
http://news.investors.com/technolog...stores-for-holiday-2013.htm?ven=yahoocp,yahoo
