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Microsoft to open store in Times Square?

updated 10:45 am EDT, Tue August 30, 2005

Microsoft Times Square


Microsoft is reportedly , hoping to make the jump into retail, a move that would heighten competition with Apple. Apple took the risk of retail and cashed in, opening 110 stores to sell its products and brand the Apple name. Microsoft is looking for a large space in an effort to create an experience similar to Apple's showroom and information center, according to the New York Post. It makes sense for Microsoft to make a brand statement with a store, says Marianne Wilson, senior editor of Chain Store Age. "The Apple store has succeeded beyond their wildest dreams," she said. Microsoft would benefit from a retail presence, according to Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst for NPD Group. Cohen said "they are not going to let Apple take that environment."


by MacNN Staff

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Comments

  1. cmoney

    Mac Enthusiast

    Joined: Sep 2000

    0

    They already failed

    Didn't they have a story in Sony's Metreon? IIRC that didn't do too well. If Mickeysoft follows typical tech company marketing and design, I don't see it doing too well.

  1. mikerich

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Oct 2003

    0

    Modelled on Windows

    But they're months behind schedule trying to get the new glassy look and feel to the store. Apparently its at least ten times larger than it really needs to be with a huge gloomy area at the back where all of the important stuff is done (BUT YOU MUSTN'T GO IN THERE!) and you'll leave the shop by walking through the Entrance.

  1. JeffHarris

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Oct 1999

    0

    Perfect Target

    All the people who are fed up with Microsoft and Windows will have a place to go to vent their rage!

    Molotov cocktails, bags of animal dung and cobblestones will be readily available from street vendors.

  1. rubik

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2005

    0

    the Xbox store?

    Is this just about the Xbox 360? What are they going to try to sell to passing shoppers? Confusing...

  1. gmanzero

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2005

    0

    Could be infectious

    Don't think I'd visit for risk of catching a virus.

  1. jimster

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2005

    0

    And........

    What vendors will be the lucky ones to be the hardware supplier to the stores? Last I checked.... MS doesn't make computers unless they are plotting to be a hardware vendor and drive Dell and Gateway (the last gasping breath of them can be easily extinguised). So... what are they going to sell. Software? Will they have a presentation room? "Oh lookie here, another 'how to' with Excel. That will be a standing room only crowd. I'm sorry, MS is going to waste their money and I agree, at least this will be a place that people can express their frustrations face to face with real borg employees.

  1. jpellino

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Oct 1999

    0

    Microsoft Hipness...

    Why am I getting visions of the fake "KFC Shredder!" ads from Saturday Night Live...

    Ballmer will do his monkey boy dance at every opening; All walls will all be covered with the same "Bliss" desktop; Shelves will be along the bottom edges of the walls; Employees will be required to inject the words "sweet" "gnarly" and "max" into each other sentence.

  1. Peter Bonte

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2001

    0

    /.

    MS wants a store just to show off a line of waiting people when Hastalavista hits the stores. They wish :D

  1. actroutt

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Feb 2005

    0

    betcha

    the windows won't work!

    HA!

  1. doc e

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2005

    0

    Amazing

    Another fine example of Microsoft "innovating" by boldly going where Apple's been before. MS may have more marketshare but they themselves continually acknowledge who the real industry leader is.

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