Google is Poised to Revolutionize Consumer Retail

The rumors have abounded for more than six months: unconfirmed whispers that Google will open up its own major chain of consumer retail stores. The company has dipped its toes into the retail waters with Chromebook-focused kiosks in the U.S. and the U.K. over the past few years, with installations inside larger retailers like Best Buy, Dixons and Currys. Yet while kiosks — particularly those staffed by Google employees — offer some value in promoting Google's products and services, the company has a much greater opportunity for late 2013 into 2014. Kiosks aren't going to foment a retail revolution.