World's first Android retail experience opens its doors in Australia

Australian telecoms company Telstra has opened the doors of the world's first Android retail experience in Melbourne, Australia.

The store is a part of Telstra's flagship outlet in Bourke Street and aims to showcase the latest in Android-based technology.

The store boasts hands-on demos of the latest in interactive tech and games, such as a large screen Angry Birds game, with on-site experts to explain the features of the market-leading OS.

Huge growth

"Over the past 12 months we've seen a huge growth in the number of customers coming in-store and asking us about Android phones and tablets," said Warwick Bray, executive director at Telstra Mobile.

"With Androidland we wanted to create a retail environment like no other that helps us to answer customer questions in a fun, interactive way.

"The result is a world-first collaboration that goes beyond conventional product displays by allowing visitors to get hands on with a range of popular mobile services and apps found on Android devices."

Selling the experience

In a behind the scenes interview (viewable below) Mike Tegurtha points out the importance of the customer experience in today's consumer landscape.

"What we're doing here is moving from an environment where we just sell things, to an environment where people can come in and experience things."

Apple is famous for its Apple Stores, though whether or not Androidland will take off to that extent, we'll have to wait and see.

[source: Telstra]