Microsoft have announced today that they will be opening some shops in the US. They’ve brought in a seasoned pro to head up the operation but not announced much more yet.
So, what do we think, go to work in the comments!
My take:
I actually think this is a long over due step. It’s Microsoft taking back their own brand and telling their own story. It’s part of a new Microsoft. Tell your story or someone else might. If this was coming a year ago it wouldn’t have been a good move. Right now, now that the products are starting to work together better than ever there’s a consumer story coming out that needs telling. The story is how to connect this stuff up. Consumer, is where it’s at.
Lots of people will be thinking, “they’re just copying Apple”. Yep, and Apple copied Nike, Adidas, Armani every other single brand store out there. Oops except this won’t be a single brand store will it, Microsoft don’t make PCs. So in times when Circuit City is closing down and the places to go play with cool, (sometimes expensive) tech are closing down, it’s good to see Microsoft getting into this, we need them on the high (main) street.
Ok…flame me…. 😀
Posted by Simon May, follow me on Twitter or if you like email me
3 thoughts on “Microsoft Retail stores, a good idea?”
Interesting – this is a bit like the Apple Stores that have been so successfull for Apple. MS currently dont make much (if any) hardware so I wonder what they will partner the software. May also annoy the existing shops that sell the products however agree with you that MS might as well sell its own story rather than relying on others.
I like the idea but the key will be to let consumers try the products out of the box in an environment that seems familiar. I have no idea how big there store will be. But they should have a living room and home office mockups. I’m sure they will make use of surface computers. And if I were them, I’d offer some sort of in-store service that would lure people back on regular basis.
Microsoft don’t have much hardware so I wonder will they partner the software industry. We are in the field of retail consultants offer great services to all our customers.
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Interesting – this is a bit like the Apple Stores that have been so successfull for Apple. MS currently dont make much (if any) hardware so I wonder what they will partner the software. May also annoy the existing shops that sell the products however agree with you that MS might as well sell its own story rather than relying on others.
I like the idea but the key will be to let consumers try the products out of the box in an environment that seems familiar. I have no idea how big there store will be. But they should have a living room and home office mockups. I’m sure they will make use of surface computers. And if I were them, I’d offer some sort of in-store service that would lure people back on regular basis.
Microsoft don’t have much hardware so I wonder will they partner the software industry. We are in the field of retail consultants offer great services to all our customers.