Google to open its own stores in the US?

A report from 9to5Mac claims that Google will be opening its own permanent stores in the US by the end of 2013.

According to an "extremely reliable source", 9to5Mac has reported that Google is planning to open stand-alone stores across the US, with the first flagship stores to open in major cities by the 2013 end-of-year holiday season.

Aimed at selling Google's Nexus, Chromebook and possibly Google Glass directly to consumers, the stores would be the logical next step from the pop-up booths the internet giant currently has set up inside Best Buy in the US, and PCWorld and Dixon's in the UK.

Google currently has no such stores in Australia and, as far as we can tell, has no plans to open any.

The stores would possibly also sell Google-branded merchandise, such as caps and t-shirts, Android plushies and office supplies.

The plan, according to the source, arose because Google thought customers might need some hands-on with Google Glass in order to make a purchasing decision; because it is a new technology, some scepticism and lack of understanding as to how it works is likely.

Whether or not it will happen in Australia is difficult to say; although we have online access to Google stores, the company seems reluctant to roll out physical services here. Although, perhaps this is in order to keep prices low, since doing business in Australia can carry higher costs.

Google declined to comment.