In a keynote speech at the Worldwide Partner Conference, Microsoft chief operating officer Kevin Turner told partners that the corporation is planning to open the first of its retail stores next to existing Apple stores…
“As we progress on our retail strategy there will be scenarios where we have stores in proximity to Apple,” a Microsoft spokeswoman told ZDNet. “We are on track to open stores in the Fall timeframe. Beyond that we have no additional details to share.”
It’s unclear whether the Microsoft stores will be selling strictly Microsoft hardware (e.g., the Zune or Xbox 360) and software, or whether it will also be selling products from third-party companies. In the past, Microsoft has said the purpose of the stores was to build the company’s brand name by connecting with customers.
Har! Now that is fracking funny.
lol!
It’s a stupid idea but then look at the source. This guy hasn’t made many smart business moves in a long time.
#20 I’m not baiting here, I’m really blanking on what products you’re talking about. Just some ad budget numbers I know about from trade presses for 2008:
- MS Consumer Products: $400 million
- MS Vista: $300 million
- MS Gaming and Entertainment: $945 million
- Apple’s Entire Ad Budget: $468 million
Note: total numbers for ad budgets in MS 10K do not include Vista, Mobile, and only a small portion of enterprise marketing even though they say it’s in there (buried under partner and events). There may be some overlap between gaming and consumer products in the above numbers (e.g. Zune).
For consumer products, which one’s don’t get the shelf space and support?
Maybe Steve Jobs will have some lower level functionaries call up Balmer and ask him not to open the store.
I hear McAfee will be openning a booth outside Microsoft stores to sell virus protection to those who enter or leave the Microsoft store. Apple stores should include hand wipes for those coming into their stores after leaving Microsoft’s store.
Nothing like bringing down realestate prices in the Apple neighborhood.
Seriously, what are they going to sell? Shrink wrapped software at “list” price? Zunes? Will they sell PCs and laptops? – I don’t see how that could work. Who’s PCs would they carry? Will there be “Geniuses” behind a counter to tell you to reinstall Windows when you describe your problem? In-store support works for Apple because they own the whole problem. I don’t see how Microsoft can make this fly.
#5: “Can I use their bathroom for a memory leak?”
Spit take of the day!
Microsoft is crazy for doing this. Their brand is not nearly the powerhouse that Apple’s is.
It seems that Microsoft is not interested in innovation, or trying to predict where technology is going. Their business relies on their install-base. They sit back, and see what technologies take off. They then develop ( or re-brand )their own product for that new market, and rely on their name to sell the product.
Apple: “We bring innovation and clean design to computing.”
Microsoft: “We can do that too.”
This has worked in their software business; especially with Exchange and Outlook. But I don’t think it translates to consumer loyalty outside of the enterprise. I don’t know of many people who buy something because of the Microsoft brand.
In short: The stores are going the way of the Zune.
So if Apple has the Genius Bar, is Microsoft going to have the Fu-bar?
That will be about as effective as opening a Kentucky Fried Chicken right next to a Church’s Chicken place.
Neither really have what you want, and you pretty much will flip a coin when deciding where to go because be honest, you are lazy.