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Fudzilla is reporting (and I'm going to assume that it isn't FUD) thatMicrosoft plans to take a page from Apple's book by opening up its ownbranded retail stores: "Our sources close to Microsoft have confirmedthat the company wants to reach out for the retail market presence."These Microsoft stores would only sell Microsoft products, probablyboth hardware and software, and would employ Microsoft experts.
The question is, would such a move benefit Microsoft? The company doeshave a lot products to put up on display, certainly more than Apple.However, being a software company, the store would be full of software;it's hard to imagine people flocking to see Vista.
Of course, Microsoft could always showcase the Xbox 360, the Zune,and the peripherals it sells. The Zune definitely needs as muchpromotion as it can get (although Microsoft still hasn't released thenumbers for the latest models). The Xbox 360, on the other hand, couldbe used very easily to create a fun-filled lounge-like environment, andthe store could push 360 games and accessories.
It's obvious that Microsoft will be aiming for individual consumersrather than businesses with retail locations. If done right, the storescould improve Microsoft's image as a company, but at the same time,does Microsoft really want to introduce competition for those loyalbusinesses that sell its products?
We'll keep you posted with any other information we get. In themeantime, what would you like to see in a possible Microsoft store?
Further reading
Our sources close to Microsoft have confirmed that thecompany wants to reach out for the retail market presence. Microsoftwants to open and create many retail shops dedicated exclusive toMicrosoft and its products.
This is something that Apple did with its many Apple retail storesaround the world. Microsoft will put its retail people in the shopswith hope that these skilled people will be able to show the trueMicrosoft experience.
We can only guess that the shop will be filled with lot of software,but it’s likely to include some peripheral stuff such as keyboards andmice as well as some MP3 Zune players. You can count on some computers,but the last paragraph is something we suspect not something that hasbeen confirmed.
If they put all that we just listed, it will definitely look like aMicrosoft copy of Apple retail stores. Maybe even some windows phones?
It worked well for Apple, so Microsoft has the chance.