Microsoft Retail Stores – Would You Go There?
Earlier this week, Microsoft announced plans to open retail stores around the US and the rest of the world! Speculation is, they are doing this to try the same method that has been working very well for Apple, and get a company certified professional in a face to face situation with buyers. Coming from several years in retail with Gateway Country Stores, the now closed retail chain from Gateway Computers Inc, I don’t think they have given this enough thought! 
Why It Might Work
Microsoft still holds a very large percentage of the home computer market and many people use their software daily! If they position the Microsoft Retail outlets as a service and training company versus a retail software chain, they have a much better chance of reaching people and business. They can load the store with their software of course, but having consumer techs and more importantly, small business solution technicians in place to not only assist with issues, but helping people envision HOW the software will benefit them, they might just make it work!
It has been my own experience in 15 years of working around the PC, 99% of the problems people experience are user or training related. If they meet that need, they might have something!
Why it Won’t Work
It will be easier to complete this section, since IMO, this is going to be a HUGE money pit from day 1! Microsoft Retail Stores… what are they going to actually sell? Operating systems? Office Software? Of course… BUT what makes them any different than your neighborhood Best Buy or Online Discount seller? Unless they align themselves with a hardware manufacturer that is NOT already present in the warehouse stores, why bother going there?
Why would you visit a Microsoft Retail Store that offers 1-2 products, versus going to Best Buy with hundreds?
Do YOU Think it will Work?
Vote in the Poll and leave your Comments below!
Jake says...
Not for me… with all the information available on the web.. why would i physically go to a store? That’s just me though.. I would much rather go online and buy my products AND find answers to questions about my products..
Although since there are so many folks out there that DO visit the stores.. i think if they do as you said and focus on the technical solutions.. it “may” make it…
Link | February 13th, 2009 at 11:52 am
Obama Foreclosure Plan says...
This sounds about as crazy as everything our leaders are trying to do for the country. More wasteful spending
Link | February 13th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Jeff Jones says...
All other considerations aside, it won’t work because Microsoft customers were created out of necessity and Apple customers chose their path and are much more passionate about their computers.
And I’m not talking about the supposed Apple VS PC war veterans either.
Link | February 14th, 2009 at 12:54 pm