Microsoft's plans for physical stores were first announced in February. The stores give Microsoft an opportunity to sell products - including the Zune, Xbox and software - as well as interact with customers. Now that Windows - the next version of Microsoft's widely used operating system software - is nearly here the stores are starting to open for business.
A Wall Street Journalarticle says the stores give Microsoft an opportunity to compete in the malls with Apple. Microsoft is opening its first store in Scottsdale, Arizona. The WSJ says a second store will open in a mall in Mission Viejo in a few weeks.
The stores are a clear nod to Apple Inc.'s success in retail. They also underscore the lengths to which Microsoft is willing to go to connect with consumers after stumbling in recent years with products such as Windows Vista, an operating system plagued by early technical problems that helped Apple gain
It's no coincidence that Microsoft is timing its first store's opening with the release of Windows 7, an operating system that has garnered positive buzz among reviewers.
"Our customers have told us they want more choice, more value and better service, and that's what we'll deliver through our Microsoft Stores," said David Porter, Microsoft's corporate vice president of retail stores.
Microsoft's store employees are probably going to be plagued by people asking how to do tasks in Windows and how to solve their PC woes. It will be interesting to see if Microsoft can fill its stores with smart, helpful people that know a lot of Microsoft's different products. If they can then the customer experience will be positive and Microsoft will likely get a boost from its expensive mall plan.
