Microsoft’s retail shops mimick the appear and feel of Apple’s iconic gross sales fronts, from the glass partitions to the wooden tables to the very design of the Surface {hardware} on show. But as anybody who ever wandered by way of a mall can let you know, Microsoft’s shops lack one essential facet: prospects. Crowds by no means flocked to Microsoft shops the way in which they do Apple shops, and on Friday, Microsoft introduced that it’s closing all however 4 of its brick and mortar places.
“As we look forward, we start a new chapter for Microsoft Store,” Microsoft Store company vice chairman Brad Porter wrote on LinkedIn. “As part of our business plan, we announced a strategic change in our retail operations, including closing Microsoft Store physical locations. Our retail team members will continue to serve customers working from Microsoft corporate facilities or remotely and we will continue to develop our diverse team in support of the overall company mission and objectives.”
Flagship Microsoft Stores in London, New York City, Sydney and Redmond will stay open, however as “reimagine[d] new spaces,” Porter says. Microsoft’s press launch says they’ll rework into “Microsoft Experience Centers.” The firm additionally vows to beef up the digital model of the Microsoft Store with “virtual customer support from our trusted experts, online tutorial videos, virtual workshops with tips and much more,” together with private video gross sales help calls. Porter says that Microsoft’s digital Windows and Xbox storefronts already attain 1.2 billion prospects every month.
According to its web site, Microsoft operates greater than 70 U.S. shops in 31 states. The firm didn’t say whether or not layoffs will come on account of the shop closures. You must think about that shutting down the retail shops will price many individuals their jobs, however Porter solely said that “our commitment to growing and developing careers from this diverse talent pool is stronger than ever.”
Microsoft Stores debuted in 2009, serving as a showcase for Surface, Xbox, and different PCs, in addition to data facilities for Windows itself. Microsoft shut the doorways of all retail shops on March 16 in response to the continuing pandemic. Unfortunately, they received’t be opening once more.
