News - Microsoft to open its own retail stores

[HEXUS]

Appointment of David Porter as corporate VP of retail stores marks a new direction for the software giant.

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[lukeharvest]

It's definitely a road in a different direction this time round.

[MadduckUK]

It's definitely a road in a different direction this time round.

a road in a different direction.. i shall remember that one

[cheesemp]

I'm 90% certain the stores will fail - Windows/Office/Xbox will all be a lot cheaper elsewhere so almost nobody will actually buy from them.

(Knowing some one who likes to visit Apple stores, I'm not sure I want to meet someone who likes to visit Microsoft stores. How much of an wannabe nerd would you have to be??)

[lukeharvest]

a road in a different direction.. i shall remember that one

Well I don't know, they do seem to be doing things quite differently post-Vista.

[nichomach]

The thought occurs that the point may be to use a storefront presence to increase or maintain mindshare; they may not expect to actually move that much stuff through them - kind of like some Sony Centres used to be?

[HSK]

What's the next step after this, Microsoft built and branded machines? Or have they already produced some...I have no idea.

[shaithis]

I'm 90% certain the stores will fail - Windows/Office/Xbox will all be a lot cheaper elsewhere so almost nobody will actually buy from them.

(Knowing some one who likes to visit Apple stores, I'm not sure I want to meet someone who likes to visit Microsoft stores. How much of an wannabe nerd would you have to be??)

If I could buy shares in these MS Stores, I would.

Anyone betting against Microsoft either has a personal hatred for them or hasn't bothered to check their track record

[nichomach]

Vista?

[shaithis]

Vista?

If that was a reply to me....how many Vista licenses have they sold?

Half of Microsofts competitors would have loved to have shifted as many units as Vista has, regardless of what dross has been spouted about it by people mostly irate with the fact they can't use a corp edition like they could with XP.....and once the bad-mouthing starts on the internet it picks up momentum....

Just think how many PCs were shipped with Vista on them just last month, let alone the last year+

Plus, they are going to sell Vista again and this time everyone will lap it up like it's the new messiah........the main difference? They changed the name to Windows 7

Marketing genius to sell products to silly people....and it seems like it works.

[gamer91]

What's the next step after this, Microsoft built and branded machines? Or have they already produced some...I have no idea.

weren't stone computers Microsoft owned?

I think its a nice idea, I'm a big M$ hardware fanboy, hopefully it gets the exposure it deserves.

[Workaholic]

I can just imagine the frustration of the staff working in those stores, literally everyday would go along the lines of:

Customer "My computer doesn't work."
Staff "What appears to be the problem."
Customer "I get a [insert error message/blue screen]"
Staff (mutters to self - NOT another one again! I'll quit if I get another one today) "Here's our technical helpline who will be able to support your problem further"
Customer "I knew I shouldn't have used Vista"

etc...