Google will make its first foray into brick-and-mortar retail outside of the US when it opens its first physical shops in India. A recent Reuters story claims that the goal of this calculated action is to increase Google's footprint in one of its fastest-growing areas.

Google is in the final stages to open its first store outside of the US. Gurugram in India is most likely to be the chosen location.

Alphabet Inc's Google is close to deciding on locations in its key market of India where it will open its first physical retail stores outside the United States, three sources familiar with the matter said.

The planned stores are expected to span approximately 15,000 square feet and could open within the next six months. These would be the first Google stores outside of the United States

In 2023, Apple CEO Tim Cook inaugurated the company’s first stores in Mumbai and New Delhi. Google’s expansion into physical retail comes as it faces regulatory and legal scrutiny in India, including antitrust cases related to its in-app billing system and dominance in the smart TV sector, Reuters reported.

The company currently has five retail stores, all in the US, which sell its products such as Pixel phones, watches and earbuds.

Currently, Google sells its products through authorized retailers in India, much like Apple did until 2023 when it opened its first company-run stores in Mumbai and New Delhi. In 2024, Apple ruled India's premium phone market, above $520, with a 55% share. Google's Pixel, on the other hand, had a 2% share.

Google is reportedly preparing to open its first self-owned retail store outside the US, with India as its chosen market following Apple's retail strategy. However, the company must first meet local sourcing requirements before moving forward.