Comments on: Few Surprises at Microsoft Retail Store Opening

By: Jason

Jason — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:12:54 +0000

These are silly arguments. Neither Microsoft nor Apple are the originator of any major new retail concepts, both borrowed heavily from those that came before them (as virtually all retailers do). If you want truly original retail ideas that aren’t derivative, you have to go back to American Fur, Hudson Bay Co, etc…

Microsoft opened it’s first store in 2000, Apple opened it’s first store in 2005. The apple store borrowed heavily on brand building concepts developed by companies such as Nike, and retail merchandising concepts from companies such as The GAP and REI. Does Apple have innovative concepts in their retail store that didn’t come from other retailers? Sure they do.

It’s certainly true that Apple Retail has been hugely successful (the best retail effort ever by some measures), and they’ve proven that brands can operate stores.

Are these latest couple of Microsoft stores inspired by other good retaiers including Apple? I’m sure they are. Do they have new customers experiences that didn’t come from existing stores? It seems like they do.

Did Apple close their store in The Shops, CA before Microsoft’s opening? They did. Will Apple raise their game as a result of Microsoft taking some leases? I hope and suspect that they will!

Cheers.

By: Joe

Joe — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:03:50 +0000

Zomg – I can’t stop laughing… They so want to be like Apple!

Just look at the employees clapping. “Finally, I get to feel like a special technology employee [Like Apple *cough, cough*].”

By: Joe

Joe — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:59:53 +0000

Geoarge,

I don’t intend to become involved in your argument; however, I believe Microsoft currently holds a high amount of debt. ;-)

By: Mo

Mo — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 04:18:33 +0000

The manager in the blue cutting the ribbon is an APPLE market manager from Houston. She got fired because she was terrible. Several other employees there were Specialists or Geniuses from other stores. Microsoft: Enjoy Apple’s sloppy seconds.

By: Sam

Sam — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:54:53 +0000

How horrible!

By: Mumbo Jumbo

Mumbo Jumbo — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:18:51 +0000

I love the way the COO goes “Do it!” in the beginning of the video after his Windows 7 joke?

By: Marktrek

Marktrek — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:08:43 +0000

80 to 100 employees?
How could they not know how many employees they have.
Hi, I’m employee 81. Sorry, we thought that we only had 80 so we don’t have a paycheck for you, but thanks for coming in everyday anyway.

By: George

George — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:30:15 +0000

Well I think Microsoft has enough money in the bank to allow for a few years before making a profit on these stores (and there will be more than one).
“they sell profitable stuff, everything from iPhones to Macs to software to peripherals and accessories.”
Well to be honest software, peripherals and accessories is exactly what these MS stores are selling. And when you say that the market is pretty much saturated what do you think the iPod’s market is like.

Anyway, at the end of the day, almost everyone uses PCs and thats what this store is selling. So they are hardly not going to sell anything are they???

By: Blad_Rnr

Blad_Rnr — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:53:19 +0000

One question no one has asked: how do they plan on making money with this venture into retail? Apple makes more money per square foot than any other retailer because they sell profitable stuff, everything from iPhones to Macs to software to peripherals and accessories. How will MSFT be making money? They can only sell so many copies of Win7, or games. Xboxes? The market is pretty saturated. PCs? Well, if they do, they will have to split the profits with the manufacturer (Dell, HP, etc.) Apple doesn’t have to because they are the manufacturer. They get all the profits.

So how long will MSFT leave this store open if they are not profitable? I can’t see how they will be when PC profits are slim already. Look at CompUSA, Circuit City, for example. How is this venture any different? And there are no economies of scale (multiple stores) to capture profits from razor thin margins. If CompUSA couldn’t do it, how will MSFT be able to? Is this just a money-losing PR stunt or will they base the store’s future on profitability?

By: Sean

Sean — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:05:43 +0000

@George,

Microsoft is more successful than Apple at what?

Other than market share for PC’s (mostly corporate), Microsoft has pretty much failed at everything else. No demand for their phones, no demand for their Zune, no demand for their search engine, no demand for Vista, no increase in stock price for 10 years, 3 consecutive losing quarters (the first loses in their history)……. Shall I continue?

All the while AAPL’s stock price has risen 6,000% in the last 12 years, reflecting their renewed dominance in innovation and growth. Their market cap is 4 times larger than Dells, larger than Google’s as well, and nearing MSFT’s. I might add that Apple’s growth is 6 times that of the PC industry. Apple also owns the most profitable stores in the world per-square-footage (Fact).

Now, please tell me again how Microsoft is more successful?

By: Neil

Neil — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:56:45 +0000

I’m surprised that you didn’t mention one of the store’s most awesome features – software printing on demand. There are kiosks in the store and visitors can choose to buy games and software which the store does not even have in stock.

The disc, manual and sleeve are printed in the back after paying and the final product looks like it has been produced in a factory. Certainly an innovative way of keeping down storage costs, and awesome for giving a huge amount of choice to customers.

By: George

George — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:41:07 +0000

By the way its not actually called the “Answer Bar.” [IFO - Thanks. Corrected.]

By: George

George — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:39:36 +0000

I have to point out a flaw in a comment above: “another failed attempt to emulate apple’s success”.

Really? I think that Microsoft may be a bit more successful than Apple at most things.

Anyway, I love the Apple stores and all but this looks really great. I’ve seen some more pics on Gizmodo and it looks colourful and bright which, to be fair, isn’t really what i’d call Apples all white interiors.
I think the only reason I like these is that I’m to a diehard apple fanboy and can force myself to like what Microsoft is doing.

By: Brian Kaempen

Brian Kaempen — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 07:28:39 +0000

Here’s hoping IF they ever open a store in Schaumburg, IL, that they keep those 5 Zune HDs. I would wait in line with my MacBook Pro, iPhone, every iPod I own, wear my Woodfield Apple Store shirt, and even install Boot Camp on my MBP just so I could go get some “answers” from their lame attempt at a Genius Bar. I would be their biggest pain-in-the-ass that day, and I would get my free Zune HD. But then what would I do with it?

Say…I wonder if Zune’s blend.

-Brian

By: John

John — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 06:34:11 +0000

gimcracks. Cool word.