First Google Physical Store to Open in Manhattan's Chelsea
Masks, hand sanitation and social distancing will be required when Google opens its first brick-and-mortar retail store inside its campus in New York’s Chelsea neighborhood this summer. “Our expectations of how we shop have changed significantly, and forever, due to…
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the COVID-19 pandemic,” blogged Jason Rosenthal, vice president-direct channels and membership, saying employees will clean all spaces multiple times a day and limit visitors “to ensure customers feel safe when they visit." Store management will follow the guidance of local and national authorities to adapt health and safety procedures as needed, Rosenthal said Thursday. Many customers want to experience products before buying them to “learn what it feels like, sounds like and looks like in their hand or on a desk,” he said, “but in-store shopping might look a bit different than what customers are used to.” Health and safety of customers and the store team is the priority, he said. “Easy pickup options” will also be available for customers who shop at GoogleStore.com. Google employs more than 11,000 in its New York office and views the store “as a natural extension of our longtime commitment to the city,” said Rosenthal. Customers will be able to browse and buy Google products in the Nest, Pixel and Fitbit lines. Store visitors will be able to “experience how our products and services work together in a variety of immersive ways." Store employees will help with troubleshooting an issue, “fixing a cracked Pixel screen or helping with installations,” he said. The store will hold how-to workshops throughout the year. Google welcomes feedback on the store “so we can continue to explore and experiment with the possibilities of a physical retail space and build upon the experience.” The Google store, with a block-long footprint between 8th and 9th avenues, is a few hundred feet from Apple’s West 14th Street Meatpacking District store.