First MS Retail Stores Will be In Scottsdale, AZ and Mission Viejo, CA

UnknowingFool writes "MS has announced the locations of its first two retail stores. The first one will be located at The Shops in Mission Viejo, CA sometime in the fall. There is an existing Apple store at the location. The second one will be located in Scottsdale Fashion Square in Scottsdale, AZ. That location does not have an Apple store. According to Corporate Communications Director Kim Stocks, the locations were picked because they were 'hot markets,' presumably meaning high traffic. Also, the stores will sell laptops, Zunes, Xbox 360s, MS and 3rd party software. No details on which laptops were provided."

Hardware?

[LeinadSpoon]

Does anyone know if they have a deal with a hardware manufacturer? Which companies' laptops will they sell?

Re:Going the way of Gateway

[SCPRedMage]

I wouldn't bet on it; after all, Microsoft is Too Big to Fail, right?

'Hot Market'

[alphasubzero949]

I didn't realize that Mission Viejo was such a hot market... No one goes to The Shops except for locals. If MS really wanted to 'showcase' their products they could have chosen a much more high profile-venue. And there are plenty in OC: The Spectrum, South Coast, Fashion Island, or even The Block. Not to mention the fact that there is a Costco across the freeway and a Best Buy a mile up. I'm sure they'll be happy to 'introduce' consumers to Microsoft (as if MS needs an introduction anyway).

Re:Talk about a lousy job...

[iluvcapra]

They'll have to work pretty hard to sell 10x the number of computers... Common wisdom is that Apple stores have just about the highest revenue-per-square-foot in retail -- the 5th Avenue Apple Store in New York exceeds even Tiffany's [seekingalpha.com].

put them next or inside Walmart, that's where they

[Locutus]

that's where they belong for the customers they have. As I've said time and time again, Microsoft is the McDonalds of computer technology. It isn't the worst, it is far from the best, but it is what it is and the average Joe/Josey who either doesn't want to do any thinking or can't is fine taking what's shoveled onto their plate. Apple stores work because they are high end and stylish so their stores work fine in various mall's but would not do so well next to Walmart. The Microsoft store isn't going to do anything but weaken their already weakening brand because it doesn't make sense to have a Microsoft store other than another attempt at marketing the brand.

Should be fun to watch this unfold because unlike other Microsoft failures, this failure will not take out the innovator in the market.

LoB

Re:look at it this way

[AndrewNeo]

Though to be honest, these could be a big hit (unfortunately, for the cause) if they sold and repaired Xbox 360's. On the spot exchange for a unit, just like Apple stores do.

Grow a pair, Microsoft!

[eyrieowl]

If they had any chutzpah, they'd put one in Cupertino! Really, if they're competitive, beard the lion in his den!

Re:Talk about a lousy job...

[DrCode]

Yea, especially for a guy. All the hot women will be going into the Apple store.