Rumor: Microsoft to establish retail stores

Yeah, hopefully this will get xbox's and their software out of game stores. That stuff takes up way too much space.

This isn't new. MS tried this 8 years ago with a store called microsoftSF in the Sony Metreon building (lol) in downtowan San Francisco.

The store went all out, had a lot of sales people on the floor, had frequent training sessions so that they knew what they were talking about. Had a LOT of demo units out that people could test out various MS products.

There was a lot of people who came through to look but very few people bought anything. Those that did were mostly buying computers and laptops. Software sales were not good at all.

It eventually collapsed and became some generic computer/digital life store and that closed as well.

I was there, I helped open the store. Met a lot of wonderful people and worked some crazy hours.

Correct, regardless of what Zaavi, HMV, Play.com, Amazon, Chips, CEX and indies would have you think. Oh wait... THAT'S why the Competition Commission approved the merger.

A lot of wise guys on here recently, always trying to prove a point over something or another. Ok lets go through your list.

Zaavi - Who? One quick google search and I'm finding nothing, how many shops country wide do these guys have?

HMV - Are a music store, yes they sell games but they don't specialize in it. I said:

"theres only one big retail video game shop around"

I suppose i should of been more clear, apologies i wasn't expecting someone to quote me and list any shop under the sun that sells video games. Not to mention HMV is often over priced.

Play - Game have a large stake in this, there no more competition than gamestation is.

Amazon - Er got me there i guess? Again, don't specialize in video games though, you might as well mention Asda, they sell video games but they don't have a large selection, the service isn't the same and overall it isn't the same as a specialist.

The last 3 I've never heard of, hardly major competition if there not country wide. Why yo ufelt the need to attempt to correct me i don't know, i was only stating we could do with more competition. Theres very little of it where i live.

How have you never heard of Amazon? They sell tons of video games. And they have better deals then say Gamestop for example. They also don't have ridiculous prices for used games like Gamestop does if you don't want to buy brand new. I've bought most of my games from them and I even plan on pre-ordering GTA 4 from them too.

Virgin Megastores have been rebranded as (and probably bought by) 'Zavvi'.

Now my opinions:

HMV & Zavvi are only good for deals (like 1k MS Points)

GAME/Gamestation charge too close the the RRP

Play.com used to be cheap, but as they gained market share they started to become like GAME...

Haven't heard of the other two but CEX (Computer Exchange) sell second hand stuff, generally at high prices (my local CEX stopped buying for cash...)

Personally I use which ever online retailer has the best deal or discount codes available and reliable delivery, usually game.co.uk, gameplay.co.uk or play.com

"How have you never heard of Amazon"

I have. :P I never said i hadn't, i said he got me there. I know about Amazon, don't use it myself though.

Thanks for the heads up Cal on the renaming, never knew that. o.0

You mean Apple. Mac is not a company.

I agree with this guy. I mean Apple only has its limited range of computers, its iPods, and a single phone! Microsoft has a lot more products that it could display if this rumor were true than Apple stores...

Mr Cool

Yes, but Apple has legions of fanboys blessed with more money than brains and a fanatacism that is only rivaled by suicide bombers, sony fans and people who like babylon 5.

That's the problem. People use Mac stuff because they want to buy into the image...because somehow apple products will fill that void inside.

People buy MS stuff largely because they don't want to buy the alternatives, not out of any loyalty. That's why the stores aren't necessarily a good idea. Apple can support a store on 3 products alone. because they have people who will actually buy those things. And rebuy them when the newer, cooler version comes out in a year.

MS is not so fortunate.

I hope you weren't looking for fruits in the Apple Store.