Microsoft-branded stores to transform 'device-buying experience'
by Ludwig Kietzmann 
{ Feb 13th 2009 at 10:22AM }
The Redmond giant has appointed Dave Porter as "Corporate Vice President of Retail Stores," a role that he promises will lead to several Microsoft-branded meccas, not to mention "a world-class shopping experience." The former Dreamworks Animation exec notes his excitement, saying, "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."
Woah, kind of a boring pitch there, Dave. Here's a better one: It's just like, it's just like a Microsoft. Mini. Mall!
[via Ars Technica]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dirty @ Feb 13th 2009 10:27AM
Can I take my broken zune there? Or if my 360 finally gives up on life?
Jerk Face @ Feb 13th 2009 10:42AM
THAT would be a very good business decision for them. That's one of the best thing about the Apple stores - if your iPhone craps out, a quick trip and you're good to go.
Dirty @ Feb 13th 2009 10:50AM
Such a sad reminder of how bad their hardware is.
Obie @ Feb 13th 2009 11:05AM
That was the first thing I thought about too, finally a place to slam down my 4th broken Xbox and scream at someone face to face.
Levi @ Feb 13th 2009 11:58AM
Yeah, scream at some customer rep because it's his fault you got the RRoD..
nutman @ Feb 13th 2009 12:01PM
How did your Zune break? I have a 2nd gen one, and it seems to be practically unbreakable! I've dropped it tons of times with the headphones in and I've gotten water on it multiple times, and it still works perfectly.
Dirty @ Feb 13th 2009 12:06PM
the battery is dead, I think the car kit killed it.
Tiptup300 @ Feb 13th 2009 2:06PM
Mine was randomly restarting constantly a few weeks ago. It hasn't restarted for a while, but they sent me a box for me to send it in. I know something has to be wrong with it, but I don't want them to get it and think it's not broken.
Obie @ Feb 13th 2009 3:39PM
@Levi: What should I do, smile and thank the wonderful MS employee that his companies hardware has broken on me 4 times?
Stupidiot @ Feb 14th 2009 1:55PM
Smile and thank him for doing his job, he probably despises Microsoft just as much.
Erwos @ Feb 13th 2009 10:28AM
This is a surprisingly good idea. Most people don't understand the ecosystem that Microsoft tries to put out there with Windows, WinMo, Zune, Exchange, Home Server, Media Center (extenders), and so forth. If they can actually show the customers how the ecosystem works in a compelling way, that would be a huge step forward for them.
umm....hello??? @ Feb 13th 2009 10:40AM
sooo...world class shopping experience--does that mean no salespeople pushing extended warranties and product replacement plans constantly?
I do think it's a good idea for them, just look at how successful it's been for Apple.
nutman @ Feb 13th 2009 11:19AM
I'd shop there. I really like Microsoft products and the only one I've had a bad experience with is the Xbox 360. I can't tell you how many times I've dropped my Zune and that thing still works like a charm. I love it.
Roto13 @ Feb 13th 2009 11:35AM
Yeah, because I'd totally trust Microsoft with something that relies so heavily on customer service, because they have such a fantastic track record with that.
Geist @ Feb 13th 2009 11:36AM
I don't like this idea. I like the idea of having a tech place to bring Microsoft products that require fixing or help or something, but this feels...weird. I feel the same way about Apple stores, or even Sony stores. The only people who should be entering these stores are those who already know what they want. You can't see a good range of products and merchandise when everything is just offered by one company. I'm no economics expert, so I can't say for sure if this is true, but it just doesn't feel right to me.
iFester @ Feb 13th 2009 11:45AM
So they fired the Gamerscore Blog Team for this? FAIL.
NeoHumpty @ Feb 13th 2009 11:48AM
Hey, I know where to find some Circuit City buildings going up for sale!!!
meist3r @ Feb 13th 2009 11:54AM
I can totally see people queueing up for Windows 7 SP1 ...
nick @ Feb 13th 2009 1:00PM
I think a Microsoft branded store is a great idea, and I often wondered why they hadn't formally exploited the concept earlier.
There WAS the Microsoft store at the Sony Metreon in San Francisco for a few years, but it was more of a showcase than a store. It closed down around the time Microsoft got into game console business.
What I'd like to see at such a store in addition to Microsoft products and support, would be items offered to employees, such as Microsoft branded clothes, mugs, etc. Wouldn't mind having an Xbox t-shirt or polo.
airtoast @ Feb 13th 2009 2:45PM
Microsoft cribs yet another idea from someone else? *Sigh*
Duke @ Feb 13th 2009 3:06PM
So Apple was the first manufacturer with a store? Manufacturer stores are nothing new or to be cribbed. You guys are way too quick to call them out on stealing an idea that is really pretty damn old. Hell, Nokia even has a store on Michigan Ave, down near the Harley Davidson store and the Hershey and Disney Store, etc etc.
airtoast @ Feb 13th 2009 4:48PM
@Duke: Well, Apple was not the first but they are currently a *computer* manufacturer with wildly successful stores. Come on, Microsoft is always paying attention to what big successes and new innovations are currently in the market so they can buy up assets to compete (and use their vast reserves of funds to win) in the same market.
Just a few examples:
Apple Store - Microsoft Store
Netscape - Internet Explorer
Google - Live Search
iPod - Zune
Dreamcast online - Xbox Live
Playstation 2 - Xbox
Mac OS 7.5 - Windows 95
Macromedia/Adobe Flash - Silverlight
scratch @ Feb 13th 2009 2:53PM
once again microsoft blatantly copies apple. why not, it always works out for them, and probably will this time too.
I wonder what brand of PCs will be for sale in the microsoft store? that would seem to be a highly political decision. i can't imagine they'd have room for all of them. maybe just the top 3 or so?
Ordeith @ Feb 14th 2009 1:39AM
I wish Apple would copy Microsoft sometime.
I am not sure how Apple would do competing with Exchange, SQL, Active Directory (LDAP), Communications Server, SMS, etc. It would be fairly un-Apple like to focus any of their attention on usefulness over flashiness.
Tez @ Feb 13th 2009 4:16PM
Probably in response to how stores like Best Buy really like to make their Mac sections fancy. They are finally starting to feel threatened as far as home computing goes.
Phantom @ Feb 13th 2009 4:39PM
"I am excited about helping consumers make more informed decisions about their PC and software purchases"
So they're going to direct their customers to open-source software and system76?
Ordeith @ Feb 14th 2009 1:40AM
I am not sure they want to go so far as to outright torture people.
Lisa O. @ Feb 15th 2009 2:11PM
It will take 45 minutes to get into the store and cost $75 to buy something. It's the true microsoft experience.
Jacky @ Jul 25th 2009 6:37AM
I think that's not a healthy suggestion as every company has to make its own reputation and identification by its specification i suggest it should observe the best selling and best featured product but try to make some new which would be more advanced and have latest features too....................
http://www.electrocomputerwarehouse.com