Microsoft Corp. has unveiled a new retail store in Washington, just a stone's throw away from its Redmond headquarter. The
company has also said that it "anticipates a pretty aggressive roll-out schedule" next year. Microsoft, however, refused to provide any other details. The new store is the seventh such store for the company, which is significantly behind Apple, which operates more than 300 stores globally. The company is looking to get into direct touch with the consumers.
The store opening drew a large crowd. Although, many of them were lured by free tickets to Miley Cyrus concert. The store also had uncanny resemblance to Apple stores, with its large table layout. Customers can try their hands on Microsoft products before buying them. The store also features a "digital wall", which actually is a montage of 120-odd Hi-def televisions. The wall certainly lends a hi-tech ambiance to the store.
Apple had recently introduced a new layout for its store in New York. Now, it's becoming clear that the tech companies are trying to enhance the users experience and are ready to go beyond their usual role of new product introductions. So, what do you say, would you change your perception of a product due to its store presentation? Or are these new glitzy stores merely an exercise in futility.
Source: WSJ