Microsoft has recently revealed it s plan for opening retail outlets. This idea of following Apple and entering retail has long been denied by Microsoft.
Microsoft told that it has hired David Porter, aged 25 and is from Wal-Mart. Though Microsoft has not provided further details, it has been learnt through sources that David will be working as a developer for retail strategies for the company.
Porter said, “There are tremendous opportunities ahead for Microsoft to create a world-class shopping experience for our customers.” He further added, “I am excited about helping consumers make more informed decisions about their PC and software purchases, and we’ll share learnings from our stores with our existing retail and OEM partners that are critical to our success.”
Now with the revelation of its plan of opening up retail store, Microsoft is all set to go. Microsoft general manager of worldwide retail services told, “We’re not planning to open stores, but we need to learn more about stores”, “We need to take more of a leadership role.”
The effort of opening a store is not new for Microsoft. It already has an experience in this field, as it opened a store a few years back at the San Francisco Metreon mall. The store was soon closed down in 2001 without showing any remarkable results.
Speculations are prevailing about the success of the idea. Stephen Baker NPD Group analyst and computer industry retail veteran says, “The real issue it that it’s not as easy to pull off as Apple. Apple has more of an owned ecosystem than Microsoft has.”
