Making the first step into the world of physical retail, Google has opened its first shop, Chrome Zone. The pop-up shop is placed in The Currys and PC World superstore, on London’s Tottenham Court Road and offers customers to explore Chromebooks.

Photo: 9to5google.com

Samsung Chromebook Series 5 is a new range of notebook computers optimized for searching on the web. It features a full-sized keyboard, large screen and a clickable trackpad. It’s advantages include a light weight, all-day battery life, as well as Wi-Fi (£349) or Wi-Fi and 3G (£399). Unlike a traditional PC, Chromebooks get better over time with automatic software updates. Previously, Google’s innovation was available online only.

Mark Slater, category director at Dixons Retail, says: “Initial customer response to the launch of Samsung’s Chromebook has been excellent and we are expecting a lot of customer interest and excitement now it is in-store.

“It’s the most revolutionary laptop on the market and as the leading electrical retailer in the UK we are thrilled that our flagship store has UK exclusivity to showcase this new technology to our customers. We have dedicated staff who have been specifically trained in using the Chromebook to demonstrate all its unique benefits and features to customers.”

According to London Evening Standard, the second pop-up store will open at Lakeside shopping centre in Essex on October 7 and more pilot shops are planned around the world in the coming months.

Today Google employs about 1,500 people in London that work in two large offices close to Victoria station. The company also has signed a deal to take 160,000sqft of space in the Central St Giles development in Midtown. Google will also launch new London based technology start-ups in a seven-floor building in east London.

Google is also about to launch a web-based storage service called ‘Google Drive.’