| Type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer hardware Computer software Consumer electronics |
| Founded | October 22, 2009 |
| Number of locations | World: 14 stores US: 14[1] |
| Products | Personal Computers, Smartphones, Xbox 360, Video Games, Zune devices and services Computer Mice, Software & 3rd-party software and accessories |
| Parent | Microsoft Corporation |
| Website | www.microsoftstore.com |
The Microsoft Store consists of fourteen retail stores and an online shopping site, and is owned and operated by Microsoft, dealing in computers, computer software and consumer electronics. The stores aim to "improve the PC and Microsoft retail purchase experience for consumers worldwide and help consumers make more informed decisions about their PC and software purchases."[2]
The Microsoft Store offers Signature PCs from third parties such as HP, Acer, Dell, Lenovo, and Sony without demos or trialware (pre-installed free trials of certain third-party software that expire after a limited time). It also offers Windows (most retail versions), Microsoft Office, mobile devices running the Windows Phone 7 OS, Zune devices and services, Xbox 360 consoles, games and services including on-site Xbox diagnostics. The Answers Desk helps to answer questions related to Windows, Office, and other Microsoft products. The stores also offer class sessions as well as individual appointments.
The first two Microsoft Stores opened within a week of the Windows 7 launch, in Scottsdale, Arizona and Mission Viejo, California.[3] Additional stores have since opened in California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, Texas and Washington. At the 2011 PDC, Microsoft announced that they intend to open 75 new stores in the next three years.[4]
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Microsoft's first experience with a retail store was called microsoftSF, which was located in the Metreon in San Francisco. It was owned and operated by Sony Retail Entertainment,[5] and ran from 1999[6] to 2001.[7]
In 2009, Microsoft built a "Retail Experience Center" in their Redmond, WA headquarters[8] and announced plans to build its own retail stores.[9] On October 22, 2009, the same day as the Windows 7 launch, Microsoft opened a retail store in Scottsdale, Arizona. A week later, another opened in Mission Viejo, California. Five additional stores were opened in 2010. A ninth store opened in Atlanta in May 2011, with two more openings planned in Houston and Los Angeles by the end of June.
The Microsoft Store is similar to the popular Apple Store concept, which has been largely successful.[10] The concept aims to give a greater level of customer satisfaction by not only having sales staff but also employing "Technical Advisors" (similar to Apple's "Geniuses") to assist customers with technical questions and issues. In addition "Specialists" (or trainers) are employed to show customers how to get the most out of their software. Microsoft Surfaces and Xbox 360s are also available to entertain patrons.
| City | State | Mall | Opened |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scottsdale | Arizona | Scottsdale Fashion Square | October 22, 2009 |
| Mission Viejo | California | The Shops at Mission Viejo | October 29, 2009 |
| Lone Tree | Colorado | Park Meadows Mall | June 10, 2010 |
| San Diego | California | Fashion Valley Mall | June 24, 2010[11] |
| Oak Brook | Illinois | Oakbrook Center | November 4, 2010[12] |
| Bloomington | Minnesota | Mall of America | November 6, 2010[13] |
| Bellevue | Washington | Bellevue Square | November 18, 2010[14] |
| Costa Mesa | California | South Coast Plaza | March 24, 2011 |
| Atlanta | Georgia | Lenox Square | May 27, 2011 |
| Houston | Texas | The Galleria | June 23, 2011 |
| Los Angeles | California | Westfield Century City | June 30, 2011 |
| Seattle | Washington | University Village | October 20, 2011[1] |
| Santa Clara | California | Westfield Valley Fair | November 10, 2011[1] |
| McLean | Virginia | Tysons Corner Center | November 17, 2011[1] |
Microsoft Store is the online store of Microsoft and is the successor of Windows Marketplace, also owned and operated by the company. The online store sells Microsoft software and hardware, as well as Microsoft Signature PCs and select third-party software. Microsoft Signature PCs are computers from various manufacturers pre-loaded with Windows Live Essentials, Zune software, Adobe Reader & Flash, Microsoft Security Essentials, and Silverlight. Besides the online storefront, items from the store can be ordered by phone. The website has 13 international variations for Australia, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, the Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom, and United States. The stores in Europe are able to accept orders from, and ship to other European countries as well.
The Microsoft Store offers immediate software download options of some Microsoft software products in most regions.
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