First Microsoft retail stores to open this autumn
Published: 16 Jul 2009 11:39 BST
Microsoft confirmed on Wednesday that it is planning to open its first retail stores in the US this autumn, with at least some of the locations likely to be near an Apple store.
"As we progress on our retail strategy, there will be scenarios where we have stores in proximity to Apple," a representative of the company said.
The autumn timing means Microsoft will have the stores open in time for Windows 7's 22 October retail launch and for the Christmas shopping season. The company plans to open a few stores this autumn, with more opening next year.
Microsoft first announced its plan to enter the retail arena in February, when it hired David Porter, formerly of conglomerate Wal-Mart.
Speaking at the Worldwide Partner Conference in New Orleans on Wednesday, Microsoft chief operating officer Kevin Turner said: "Stay tuned, because we're going to have some retail stores that are opened up right next door to Apple stores this fall. Stay tuned, just stay tuned."
Turner promised partners that the company would share what it is learning with other stores.
"Every single thing we learn in those Microsoft stores, we're going to share that openly and transparently with all of our retail partners so that they can do the exact same thing," Turner said. "And we're going to get that customer feedback directly. We're in the game for the long term."
Turner, also a former Wal-Mart executive, noted he has some experience in this area. "And I know something about retail, and we've hired an incredible team to do an incredible job on retail."
The software maker has also opened an online software store that sells products directly to customers.
Last year, Microsoft set up a 'retail experience centre' in Redmond, Washington. However, at the time a Microsoft executive said the company would not open its own stores.
At the beginning of the decade, Microsoft had one retail outlet at San Francisco's Metreon Mall in California. However, it closed the store in November 2001. It has also been rumoured that Microsoft was eyeing a Times Square location back in 2005.
Credit: First Microsoft retail stores to open this fall from CNET News
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