“The first Microsoft Store opened in Scottsdale, Ariz., in October of 2009, attempting to replicate some of the great success Apple has had opening its own stores across the world. The Microsoft Stores borrow ideas from Apple, including a ‘Guru Bar’ akin to Apple’s Genius Bars where employees assist customers, and Microsoft even attempted to hire away some Apple retail employees for its own operations,” Hughes reports. “Since Microsoft’s retail venture began in 2009, the Redmond, Wash., company has continued to quietly expand its brick-and-mortar footprint. Microsoft’s official retail website advertises that 11 new stores are “coming soon” across North America.”
“The upcoming 11 store openings, including its first outside the U.S. in Toronto, will represent a huge increase in Microsoft’s retail presence Since 2009, the Windows maker has opened a total of 20 stores to date,” Hughes reports. “A Microsoft spokesperson told AppleInsider that those 20 stores have seen more than 13 million customers over the last three years.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Keep bribing grand opening visitors to show up for free concert tickets and counting every 10 year-old whose mom parks him in your store in front on an Xbox while she shops, Microsoft. You’re doing a great job!
Apple currently has 373 retail stores open worldwide.
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