Microsoft to Open Retail Stores
Can the software giant emulate the success of Apple’s retail venture?
Image via Reuters
Microsoft is following Apple’s lead by announcing it will launch retail purchase stores worldwide.
The company made the announcement as part of hiring former DreamWorks Animation and Wal-Mart exec David Porter as its new corporate vice president of retail stores.
Defining the time frame, locations and specifics for planned Microsoft-branded retail stores will be Porter’s first order of business, according to the company.
The purpose of opening these stores is to create deeper engagement with consumers and continue to learn firsthand about what they want and how they buy.
Porter will work with leaders of existing retail programs in Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices Division.
Slashgear notes that Microsoft had a retail presence that closed in a San Francisco in 2001.
The company made the announcement as part of hiring former DreamWorks Animation and Wal-Mart exec David Porter as its new corporate vice president of retail stores.
Defining the time frame, locations and specifics for planned Microsoft-branded retail stores will be Porter’s first order of business, according to the company.
The purpose of opening these stores is to create deeper engagement with consumers and continue to learn firsthand about what they want and how they buy.
Porter will work with leaders of existing retail programs in Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices Division.
Slashgear notes that Microsoft had a retail presence that closed in a San Francisco in 2001.
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About the Author

Jason Knott, Editor, CE Pro
Jason has covered low-voltage electronics as an editor since 1990. He joined EH Publishing in 2000, and before that served as publisher and editor of Security Sales, a leading magazine for the security industry. He served as chairman of the Security Industry Association’s Education Committee from 2000-2004 and sat on the board of that association from 1998-2002. He is also a former board member of the Alarm Industry Research and Educational Foundation. Jason graduated from the University of Southern California.



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