This just in: Thousands of Microsoft fans plan to wait for hours outside their new retail stores, wrapping long lines around the block in the hopes of catching a glimpse of Microsoft’s new products, and perhaps even the CEO himself, Mr. … (oh who are we kidding no one is going to show up at all for this wake!)
Microsoft is apparently planning to open their own retail stores now. From MacWorld.com:
“Microsoft plans to open its own retail stores to “transform the PC and Microsoft buying experience,” the company said Wednesday as it hired an executive to run the retail operation.And far be it for MacWorld to pass up an opportunity to poke Uncle Bill in the ribs a little:The stores will help Microsoft engage more deeply with consumers and learn firsthand about what they want to buy and how, according to a Microsoft press release. Deciding where the stores will be located and what they’ll look like will be the first order of business for David Porter, who will report to work on Monday as corporate vice president of Retail Stores.
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With the retail strategy, Microsoft said it hopes to articulate and demonstrate its innovation and value proposition. It will pass on lessons it learns from the stores to its retail and OEM (original equipment maker) partners.The move comes as the company gears up for the release of the Windows 7 PC operating system as well as new releases of Windows Mobile and of the Windows Live online portal. It follows changes Microsoft has made to its marketing efforts as the Windows Vista operating system took on a negative image.”
10 ways Microsoft’s retail stores will differ from Apple’s1. Instead of Apple’s sheer walls of glass, Microsoft’s stores will have … (click through to the article to read the whole thing…)
2. The store will have six different entrances: …
3. Instead of a Genius Bar (as Apple provides) Microsoft will offer …
4. The Windows Genuine Advantage team will run …
5. Store hours are …
6. Stores will be named …
7. Fashioned after Microsoft’s User Account Control (UAC) in Vista, sales personnel will ask you …
8. Xbox 360 section of the store will be organized in a …
9. DreamWorks will design a scary in-store theme park ride called …
10. Store emergency exits will be …
