“Microsoft is planning to open the first of its planned retail stores next to existing Apple stores this fall,” Mary Jo Foley reports for ZDNet. “Kevin Turner, Microsoft’s Chief Operating Officer, told partners the news during his Worldwide Partner Conference keynote on July 15.”

“I did hear from some Softies that the stores wouldn’t be clones of Apple’s, and that they’d be more showcases than actual retail outlets,” Foley reports. “According to partners attending the conference, Turner said Microsoft wouldn’t be imitating Apple; it would be innovating with the new stores. Earlier this year, Microsoft officials said the stores would be more about building Microsoft’s consumer brand than distribution.”

Foley reports, “A Microsoft spokesperson provided the following statement, for what it’s worth: ‘As we progress on our retail strategy there will be scenarios where we have stores in proximity to Apple. We are on track to open stores in the Fall timeframe. Beyond that we have no additional details to share.’”

Full article here.

MacDailyNews Take: The closer the proximity, the higher the contrast.