Google has announced plans to open its first flagship store outside of the United States, the Google Store Omotesando, in Tokyo, Japan, this summer. The store will allow visitors to see and purchase a variety of Google products, including Google Pixel smartphones, Google Nest devices, Google Fitbit products, and other accessories.
Customers will also have the opportunity to experience Google’s latest AI features and see the company’s services in action. The store will feature staff who can perform on-site repairs for Google Pixel devices, assist with setup, and troubleshoot customer issues. Additionally, in-store workshops will be available when the store opens.
According to Google, opening a store in Tokyo reflects the company’s history of establishing its first international office in Japan. This will mark Google’s first full retail store outside the US, although the company has previously operated store-within-a-store concepts at Best Buy locations in Canada. Google also opened a shop within Currys in London in 2015, but that location has since closed.
Google is not the only technology company investing in physical retail spaces. Microsoft opened its first two retail stores in 2009 alongside the launch of Windows 7, and subsequently announced plans to expand its store count significantly. However, the COVID-19 pandemic led to the closure of almost all of Microsoft’s locations. Today, Microsoft operates only a “Microsoft Experience Center” in New York City and a “Microsoft Visitor Center” in Redmond, Washington.
