If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) must love Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL) chain of retail stores. But, will it help Redmond to have stores of its own?
Setting up a Microsoft store is probably going to be difficult. Apple has a fairly limited number of products. Will Microsoft have its Xbox in the stores? How about its Zune of PCs running the new Windows 7 OS? Will it display business software for servers?
According to Reuters "Microsoft Corp announced plans Thursday to open its own chain of branded stores as it looks to catch up with rival Apple Inc's successful move into retailing."
The benefit of the stores would probably fall to Xbox and the new Windows 7 OS. The Xbox is already sold in tens of thousands of retail outlets but Microsoft may benefit from the buzz of showing new features in its own stores to help control the early PR.
The real beneficiary of Microsoft retail stores if there is one, is Windows 7. The Vista product which it replaces has been unpopular. Microsoft needs people to upgrade from earlier versions of Windows if it revenue is to hold up for the next two or three years. Showing all the features and benefits of the software with Microsoft experts to do the demos could be a very good way to bring the software to consumers.
The new stores might as well be called the "Windows 7 Outlet Shops"
Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 24/7 Wall St.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-13-2009 @ 5:47AM
Tim said...
Not a good idea! This could be a great waste of time and money!
2-13-2009 @ 5:53AM
mobugobu said...
Microsoft isn't really trusted by the user community (who have been forced to use buggy software for years because there was no suitable alternative). Neither do they make 'cool' products. There is unlikely to be big lines outside their retail outlets.
2-13-2009 @ 6:32AM
Mirsep said...
This is a really badly written artticle, spelling mistakes and not in depth at all, just 'waft if's'.
2-13-2009 @ 9:01AM
Beltway Greg said...
I would, LOL, LOL, LOL, post, but I can't seem, to LOL, LOL, LOL, stop laughing. First, LOL, LOL, the Phoenix interview on Letterman, LOL, LOL, and now, LOL, LOL, this from MSFT. How about fixing the mess you have before, LOL, creating retail stores, LOL, during a depression?
And to quote Lindsey Buckingham, lead guitarist (Should've been In Rolling Stone's "Top 100 Guitarists of Rock issue) of Fleetwood Mac, "It's Not that Funny is it?"
Just keep peddling the software boys and leave the innovation to the pros.
Beltway Greg