Microsoft to open own stores, take on Apple

Reuters ^ | Feb 13, 2009 | Bill Rigby

[max americana]

Microsoft to open own stores, take on Apple (Reuters) Posted on Thu Feb 12, 2009 7:20PM EST

SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp announced plans Thursday to open its own chain of branded stores as it looks to catch up with rival Apple Inc's successful move into retailing.

The world's largest software company, which also makes the Xbox video game console and the Zune digital music player, did not say how many stores it was looking to open, or when, or which of its products would be on sale.

That is to be decided by David Porter, a former DreamWorks Animation executive, which Microsoft named as its new vice president of retail stores.

Turner, a former Wal-Mart Stores Inc manager, will report to Microsoft chief operating officer Kevin Turner.

The long-rumored move to open stores comes as consumer spending is under severe pressure due to the recession, which has already pushed electronics chain Circuit City into bankruptcy. A similar attempt by computer maker Gateway to open its own stores some years ago was not successful.

[flintsilver7]

Oh, I’m not saying it’s a great idea. I also am not quite sure what they’re trying to accomplish, though it’s my guess it’ll feature mostly XBox stuff. I imagine some customer interaction would be helpful as well.

In my opinion, the main problem with Vista is that the public perception of Vista is that it’s bad software. Having used it pretty extensively, I can say that’s very far from the truth. They might be trying to change that by hopefully having people learn about Vista from the source (biased) as well as from the competition (also biased).

[Paladin2]

Wouldn’t a M$ store have to have some really big ALT-CNTL-DEL buttons all over the place to keep it open?

[padre35]

I’m indifferent towards MS, but I’d like to see stores opened and MS entering the fray of retail.

[Peanut Gallery]

ping

[GRRRRR]

I don’t consider enjoying a better machine to be selling my soul. I built my own PC’s and upgraded them every year or so and when dual core CPU’s came out I scoped out building my own machine. After pricing parts and so forth I was looking at $5,000 worth of hardware (I was going to build a SUPER PC)...I looked at the iMac line.

That was back in AUG 2006 and I’ve never looked back. Our family is now all MAC and I’ve converted several co-workers and now working on my brothers and sisters in law families.

Macs are easier to use, have fewer software problems and they just work. My sis-in-law has been fighting with DELL for two months or more just trying to get her printer to work with MS Word. I clued her into openoffice.org and she was off and printing in an hour after the FREE download.

Apple has plenty of problems, just check out their suppor website. But, I’ve found their store customer support to be flawless. Broken USB on my old iPod, no problem...here’s a brand new one, plus 10% rebate for recycling.

Daughter’s hard drive on MacBook Pro fried at Christmas...no receipt, no Apple care...no problem, here’s a new hard drive and free upgrade to Leopard.

G

[max americana]

> What kind of person would be caught dead in a Microsoft store?

LOL! I agree.

[webschooner]

The economy is in a tailspin as King Zero and his loyal congress critters toil night and day to run the world into a depression ...

... and the geniuses at M-soft think it’s a good time to open a chain of stores.

Well, I guess there will be plenty of vacant storefronts to choose from.

[Swordmaker]

HahahahahaHohohohohohoheheheheheheheh

gasp hahahahahah

gasp

hehehehehehe

gasp hic snort... heeheeheehee PING!

ROTFLMAO - Microsoft to open retail store to compete with Apple's Store...

Microsoft competing with copying Apple Ping!

If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.

[Swordmaker]

But, but, but, Microsoft makes it sooooo easy...

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

Oh how cool.

HOUSE OF

Meet our classy, cutting-edge clientele...

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

"What kind of person would be caught dead in a Microsoft store?"

See post 30.

[Leonard210]

Maybe they’ll be really great. Like those Seinfeld commercials.

[Swordmaker]

Across the mall at the Apple store, Steve Jobs will be gladly autographing backdated stock options for any customer willing to sell their soul to iTunes.

You are aware that Microsoft and Gates had similar backdated stock option problems, aren't you?

You aren't?

Apple took an $87 million dollar charge back. Microsoft took a $217 million charge back.

The fact is that, in the late 1990s and early 2000s, almost every tech company used back dating of stock options as a form of executive or critical employee compensation. It was looked at as a way to economically bind executives and valuable employees to staying with the companies. It was also a way to provide a means of compensation that did not negatively impact cash flow—since the employee would actually have to purchase newly issued stock when they exercised their options, the stock option plan actually would bring in MORE capital.

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

"...the geniuses at M-soft think it’s a good time to open a chain of stores."

The same geniuses who thought a $10 million series of Seinfeld ads whose punch-line was watching Bill Gates de-wedgie his shorts would sell Windows.

Speaking of shorts, time to call my broker. MSFT has really jumped the shark.

[Swordmaker]

What kind of person would be caught dead in a Microsoft store?

One who is looking to buy a new appliance for their kitchen? You know, the kind that can zap a cup of water to boiling in under a minute...

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

" The fact is that, in the late 1990s and early 2000s, almost every tech company used back dating of stock options as a form of executive or critical employee compensation. It was looked at as a way to economically bind executives and valuable employees to staying with the companies. It was also a way to provide a means of compensation that did not negatively impact cash flow—since the employee would actually have to purchase newly issued stock when they exercised their options, the stock option plan actually would bring in MORE capital."

Thank you. I personally have zero problem with backdating. Generally the person earned it by increasing shareholder wealth. Somehow it's never a problem for companies whose shares have tanked! Now ponder why that is...

[Swordmaker]

What would be the equivalent of the “blue screen of death” in a store?

White washed windows, locked doors, and dust covered "Going Out of Business" signs...

(That first is a predictive double-entendre!)

[LeGrande]

Microsoft is now IBM.

What ever happened to IBM? Are they still in business? : )

[Moonman62]

Yep. IBM did this 25 years ago to compete against Microsoft and the other young PC companies.

[50mm]

Here's one of their "Geniuses."