Google to establish its first retail stores outside the US in India

Google is completing preparations to open its first actual retail outlets outside of the US, most likely in Mumbai and New Delhi. It is anticipated that this action will increase Google's market share in India, where it faces competition from Apple in the high-end smartphone market, according to the sources.

With a $10 billion investment pledge, Alphabet Inc.'s Google has made India a top priority and a major growth area. Up until today, Google has only run five physical locations in the United States. Pixel watches, earphones, smartphones, and other hardware items are displayed and sold in these businesses.

Google now intends to open its own high-end stores in direct competition with Apple, which has effectively capitalized on its global retail footprint. Last year, Apple built its first company-run stores in Mumbai and New Delhi, joining its global network of over 500 locations.

As per the sources, Google is looking into Gurugram, a satellite city close to New Delhi that is home to high-end retail stores like Uniqlo and significant international companies like Uber and Meta. The plan is to take on Apple. Particularly to target the luxury market.

In India, Google's Pixel phones currently only account for 2% of the market for high-end smartphones (those that cost more than $520), according to Counterpoint Research. In contrast, Apple holds a 55% market share in the same area, indicating its dominance.