Google took a step today to improve its presence in India with the announcement that it will be opening brick and mortar stores called Android Nation. Google’s retail locations in India will follow the opening of two such stores in Jakarta, Indonesia last year. The stores carry Android powered tablets and smartphones from several manufacturers like Samsung, Sony, LG, HTC and ASUS. Besides buying the latest in Android devices, customers can visit Android Nation locations to get expert help with their devices and the Android operating system, get info and help with the latest apps, or browse the aisles and shelves for accessories. The stores in India will be opened in partnership with Spice Global.
A source familiar with the deal says the first location will be in New Delhi’s Select Citywalk. At least 50 other locations are planned as Spice Global will convert some of their Spice Hotspots into Android Nation stores. This move will help accelerate expansion of Google’s footprint.
The partnership with Spice Global will yield some other strategic moves for Google as they look to expand. Spice Global also has a presence in the Middle East, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Africa and they have plans to push Android powered devices in those markets as well. Plans are also in the works to bring the CoolPad brand of Android devices, China’s third largest player, to India.
source: The Economic Times
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