Google has been doing a great job of pushing forward with their products, software, and integrity and they're certainly making more than a name for themselves in many aspects. While it’s hard to avoid Google in the online world, the one place it is easy to avoid is while you’re out and about. Why? Because there’s no such thing as a Google store yet; but rumor has it that all that is about to change by the time the year’s end rolls around.

Google has itself in a pretty comfortable position I’d have to say. They’ve grabbed our attention more than enough times from the products they offer down to the very basis of their place of work. So now that they’ve pretty much gotten everything they could ever want, why not open a chain of retail stores? Some people might wonder: Google is a big enough name as it is; why should they open retail stores? Well, because they’re Google and because they can, I guess. Or to promote new products like Google Glasses, which seems like the more likely scenario. I’m not about to drop anywhere between $500 - $1,000 on something that I’ve never even tried before; it’s kind of like Chromebook – I’ve been interested in it, but without being able to actually try it in a store, I’m wary of dropping any money on it. Whatever the reason, it’s still kind of exciting that they’re planning on opening stores this year.

I think overall this is a smart move on Google’s part. We already come to know Google’s products fairly well just from the name alone, but when you’re talking about stock Google products (the Nexus line, Chromebooks, etc.) you’re pretty limited on where you can physically find those in stores, if at all. By incorporating retail stores with the Google name on it, customers are going to know exactly where to look for and find the products. Another good point to Google opening their own stores is that it will be much easier to ask for assistance or return a product if need be as customer service will actually be available to the public. Although places like Best Buy who have The Geek Squad are experienced in generic troubleshooting and solving issues, there’s a sense of security when it comes from a company with a central focus around one type of product.

Aside from the obvious aspect that there will now be a physical central location for all things Google, this also opens up a discussion for job opportunities in areas that plan on opening Google stores - and that’s a sentiment I can get behind. From the sounds of it, Google is planning on opening a retail store in several metropolitan areas throughout the United States, so if you leave near one and on the lookout for a job keep your eyes peeled for Google stores.

If there’s ever been any doubt in my mind that Google was trying to take over the world, that doubt is long gone. A company that was once just a vision of an ultra-intelligent search engine now has a suite of popular software both for personal and business, its own internet browser, a top-selling mobile platform, an ultra-fast internet service, and more; and now they plan to add retail stores to the mix. Yes, Google is well on its way to world domination if they so please – and strangely, I’m okay with that. (As a disclaimer, I don’t really think they’re trying to take over the world.)

Readers, what do you think about this move from Google? Do you plan on visiting one or do you have a different tech store of choice? Tell me your thoughts!