Comments on: Rumor: Microsoft Opening Retail Stores

By: danniel

danniel — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:35:39 +0000

Does anyone else ever just get tires of being marketed to?

By: Ashley

Ashley — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:25:47 +0000

There are some “Ifs” to consider though. If the decoration is right, if Customer Service is friendly and if the Marketing Plan is adequately designed, then Apple has to run for its money. Good point, Ashley.

You are right, there are so many ifs, but they have an opportunity here to do it right and potentially do well with it.

arjay wrote:

Then they’ll be using Surfaces in the stores they open up. That’d be fun! ;) I guess Microsoft has a big chance if they do play it right. Not only Apple will have problem with that, I guess the “Geek Squad” and “Firedog” should start lowering their fees is the Microsoft stores would offer FREE advice and support. Is asking help from the Genuis Bar free? I mean, I haven’t tried asking those guys (Windows user here), so I don’t really know.

Come to think of it, Surfaces would be pretty cool to see in-store. As for your question about the Genius Bar, I believe they do offer free services as well as paid. Don't quote me on that though. When I bought my iPhone and it didn't work, I took it back and sat at the Genious Bar waiting for them to replace it. I watched several people come in and get help with their computers and leave without paying a penny.

northerngeek wrote:

Microsoft should have these stores showcasing the digital lifestyle I enjoy on a daily basis on a student budget- - Tablet PC (so many people love mine and have never heard of them) - Media Center (if not only to get more attention from TV companies) - Devices connecting to Windows Live (e.g. Samsung wireless photo frame) - Xbox 360 & Zune With all that variety I can’t see why people like Apple stores.

You make a good point, there are all kinds of devices, services, and software that Microsoft could showcase at a brick and mortar store. It's almost surprising that they didn't think to open retail stores sooner.

Inferno_str1ke wrote:

I’d hope they’d roll this out to the UK as soon as possible too. This could be a way for M$ to seem more in touch with consumers - and after all whatever you say about their software their hardware is always top notch. It would be good to get some exposure for the Zune over here too - I’m not even sure anywhere sells them and if they do its been as successful as a wooden parachute.

You make a good point here, that this might help Microsoft to be more in touch with consumers. At this point they do seem a little out of touch with consumers in some aspects, and a store with real "live" Microsoft employees might help.

By: Inferno_str1ke

Inferno_str1ke — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 16:33:04 +0000

I’d hope they’d roll this out to the UK as soon as possible too. This could be a way for M$ to seem more in touch with consumers – and after all whatever you say about their software their hardware is always top notch. It would be good to get some exposure for the Zune over here too – I’m not even sure anywhere sells them and if they do its been as successful as a wooden parachute.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 11:42:32 +0000

Undoubtedly, they’ll be a success and MS marketshare (of their failing products) will increase.

By: northerngeek

northerngeek — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 11:17:28 +0000

I have thought Microsoft should be doing this for a long time, Apple’s cool factor is completely fake IMO- they are’t cool, they’re stil nerds they’re just self-righteous telling people they’re innovating… which they occasionally do but more often than not avoid.

Microsoft should have these stores showcasing the digital lifestyle I enjoy on a daily basis on a student budget-
- Tablet PC (so many people love mine and have never heard of them)
- Media Center (if not only to get more attention from TV companies)
- Devices connecting to Windows Live (e.g. Samsung wireless photo frame)
- Xbox 360 & Zune

With all that variety I can’t see why people like Apple stores.

By: Google

Google — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 20:33:07 +0000

People come into to Apple stores to learn about new products and see something new and cool. It’s Apple’s cool factor that Microsoft lacks. I’d be a gamble that could even accel there decline. The Surface is there dark horse so we could see something come of that.

By: arjay

arjay — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 20:22:48 +0000

Then they’ll be using Surfaces in the stores they open up. That’d be fun!

I guess Microsoft has a big chance if they do play it right. Not only Apple will have problem with that, I guess the “Geek Squad” and “Firedog” should start lowering their fees is the Microsoft stores would offer FREE advice and support. Is asking help from the Genuis Bar free? I mean, I haven’t tried asking those guys (Windows user here), so I don’t really know.

By: Omar Upegui

Omar Upegui — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:37:02 +0000

Ashley: "Microsoft wants to open and create many retail shops dedicated exclusive to Microsoft and its products.” Apple has been so successful with their stores, would Microsoft be able to be a success?" I think this is a fantabulous idea. Having dedicated retail stores strategically located in the U.S. and abroad, will give Microsoft an excellent opportunity to push their products (softare/hardware). Plus increasing their sales revenue, they would also promote their brand recognition. I can imagine Microsoft stores in China, Rusia, Argentina, Panama, France and Japan just to name a few. There are some "Ifs" to consider though. If the decoration is right, if Customer Service is friendly and if the Marketing Plan is adequately designed, then Apple has to run for its money. Good point, Ashley.