Microsoft Signs Leases to Open Retail Stores in Arizona and California
According to CNET, Microsoft has confirmed that it has signed leases for upcoming retail stores in Scottsdale, Arizona and Mission Viejo, California. The stores are among the first in Microsoft's retail store initiative that is planned to directly compete with Apple's retail stores in a number of locations beginning later this year.
Microsoft has reportedly hired former Apple real estate chief George Blankenship as a consultant to assist the company with securing locations for its new retail stores.
The Orange County, Calif., store is in a mall that already houses an Apple retail store. Microsoft Chief Operating Officer Kevin Turner said at this month's Worldwide Partner Conference that some of the locations would be right near Apple stores.
The first stores' fall opening comes at an opportune time for Microsoft, which is launching Windows 7 on October 22.
Microsoft has reportedly hired former Apple real estate chief George Blankenship as a consultant to assist the company with securing locations for its new retail stores.
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33 months ago
a retail store so we can try out and see how crappy windows is.... :D
:apple: FTW
:apple: FTW
33 months ago
wow, the layout of the computers on the counters on the wall with banners above looks vaguely familiar.... but idk where....:eek::D:apple:
but i do think the surface thing is kinda cool. i might go in just to play with it.
but i do think the surface thing is kinda cool. i might go in just to play with it.
33 months ago
It is crazy how Microsoft directly rips off Apple and do not even try to hide it. After my 360 broke and they refused to fix it I now own ZERO Microsoft products, nor will I ever own any again. Good luck Microsoft :apple:
33 months ago
As much as I like and use Windows XP on my iMac (and my next machine will be a homebuild PC for gaming), I just wouldn't use these shops and I don't see much point in them. I know Microsoft sell hardware too but it's mostly just peripherals. What will this shop sell? Xbox games at a premium, peripherals and some software?
33 months ago
If some of the stores are right next to Apple stores, I think it would lead to some great window displays. Something like, LOL ->, or a banner with PC poking his head around the corner and asking if can come over. That said, this will only bring about more competition and better end products.
33 months ago
All those blue panels and screens on that image.... I'm just waiting for someone to Photoshop in a BSOD.
Is this a sign that Microsoft is really concerned about Apple? When you've got 95% of the market share, on a platform that pretty much locks you into buying more products from the same company, is it really necessary to spend millions of dollars on stores to promote yourself? Doesn't virtually every household already own some sort of Microsoft product? It sounds to me like they're desperate to keep themselves in the public spotlight.
Is this a sign that Microsoft is really concerned about Apple? When you've got 95% of the market share, on a platform that pretty much locks you into buying more products from the same company, is it really necessary to spend millions of dollars on stores to promote yourself? Doesn't virtually every household already own some sort of Microsoft product? It sounds to me like they're desperate to keep themselves in the public spotlight.
33 months ago
You'd think they would want to open many stores in time for Christmas not just 2.:confused:
33 months ago
I love how Microsoft are getting worried by Apple. Must be hard making a loss whilst Apple's profits go up.
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