Should Google Inc (GOOG) Bother to Open Retail Stores?

But Apple started from scratch, the company still barely breathing after the near-death experience that Gil Amelio put it through. Steve Jobs only had two choices: Win or die. So Apple became an expert retailer out of necessity. It’s like Hernan Cortes burning his ships to make sure his Mexican conquest would be free of distractions.

Google has a running start, which may sound like a big advantage. Apple already did the hard work of figuring out how to run a great store chain, and Google walks in with a big bankroll. Almost too easy, right?

But without that heart-pounding life-or-death focus, I’m not sure that Google will care enough to really make it work. Plus, the company has such an overwhelming online brand presence that consumers might just be confused by a physical store push. If I want to buy something from Google, shouldn’t I just open a browser?

That’s why Google should spend some more time cultivating its hardware brand before making the leap to your local mall. But it looks like the company isn’t taking my advice. We common shareholders rarely get to run the show, after all.

The article Should Google Bother to Open Retail Stores? originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Anders Bylund.

Fool contributor Anders Bylund owns shares of Google. The Motley Fool recommends Apple and Google. The Motley Fool owns shares of Apple, Google, and Microsoft.

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