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Microsoft opening retail chain

Software giant taps Wal-Mart veteran to spearhead effort "to create a better PC and Microsoft retail purchase experience."

With endeavors like the Xbox Live Marketplace and Zune Marketplace, Microsoft has been cutting out the retail middleman for years. However, the Xbox 360 maker's latest initiative goes a bit further, cutting the retail middleman out of the retail experience.

Microsoft could have used stores to

Microsoft could have used stores to "better articulate" the benefits of Vista.

Microsoft today announced that it will be launching its own chain of stores "to transform the PC and Microsoft buying experience." In particular, the company mentioned a desire to better articulate and demonstrate the advantages of its products. Additionally, Microsoft hopes "to create deeper engagement with consumers and continue to learn firsthand about what they want and how they buy."

To oversee the project, Microsoft has appointed David Porter to be the company's corporate vice president of retail stores. Porter has been head of Dreamworks Animation SKG's worldwide product distribution since 2007, but it's likely his prior experience that Microsoft hopes to draw on. Before joining Dreamworks, Porter spent 25 years with retail giant Wal-Mart, eventually working his way up to vice president and general merchandise manager of the chain's entertainment division.

There is no time frame for when the Microsoft stores might open, and no locations have been determined, but those will be Porter's first priorities when he begins his work on Monday.

"I am excited about helping consumers make more informed decisions about their PC and software purchases, and we'll share learnings from our stores with our existing retail and OEM partners that are critical to our success," Porter said in a statement.

479 Comments

  • burn6

    Posted Feb 22, 2009 9:40 pm GMT

    if it is going to bring jobs to the people, yeah sure, do it.

  • markvons

    Posted Feb 19, 2009 8:52 pm GMT

    @darthgigit

    Actually Sony already has it's own store.

  • zgreenwell

    Posted Feb 19, 2009 12:45 pm GMT

    It would be a better retail experience if they would lower the price of windows. A full version of their operating system is more expensive than the 360 at retail. Thats just ridiculous.

  • Axe_336

    Posted Feb 19, 2009 1:35 am GMT

    Oh, like Apple has been doing for years Microsoft?

  • DistortedGecko

    Posted Feb 18, 2009 10:58 pm GMT

    Man, I hope that Microsoft doesn't become like Wal-Mart, with all the cheap useless crap that breaks all the time. Hey, wait a second...

  • Hvac0120

    Posted Feb 18, 2009 12:00 pm GMT

    @RROD COMMENTS

    You know; instead of these stores being used to trade in broken Xbox360's, maybe Microsoft should actually FIX the problems causing this... After reading that MS employees detailed report about the poor handling of the design of the Xbox 360, I guess it's really problem that will plague the system until the next Xbox...

  • dmish82

    Posted Feb 18, 2009 9:40 am GMT

    I really don't see a point in this for two reasons:

    1) Microsoft isn't really THAT diversified yet. They sell software and the 360. The Zune hasn't been adopted by consumers (see that Family Guy last week about that?). So at the moment it's a store that will sell computers with Windows, Windows & Office by itself, the 360 and games, and the Zune that stores have slowly stopped carrying.

    2) Microsoft has a 'tarnished' image as of late. Vista flopped big even though MS is trying to spin it. The 360 RRoD issue has hurt their image with gamers. The XML scandal of MS trying to monopolize and set a new standard for documents is angering many people. The list goes on.

  • TehUndeadHorror

    Posted Feb 18, 2009 1:04 am GMT

    Strange...

  • plightstar

    Posted Feb 18, 2009 12:59 am GMT

    I hope they bring some stores to the UK and give shelf space to PC games, at the moment all the shops that sell PC games give very little space to PC gaming and usually its filled with by 3 for £20 offers for 10yr old games and has about 10 newish games.

  • jtthegame316

    Posted Feb 17, 2009 2:57 pm GMT

    i see people on about RROD when they fix it for free anyway. this could be good a microsoft shop.

  • mailbox2112

    Posted Feb 17, 2009 2:44 pm GMT

    i love how everyone is saying this is a bad idea and how MS sucks and copies apple, when half the people saying that are probably on PCs using XP or Vista... and this is a good idea too, because then you can see "Tom" from India in person for support.

  • sonic-ps360

    Posted Feb 17, 2009 2:10 pm GMT

    its not going to be that great. just tonnes of halo 3 and gears on full price with no specials. woo hoo.... -.-'

  • Kentelyoo

    Posted Feb 17, 2009 1:50 pm GMT

    I wonder if this will mean more shelve space for PC games. If so, I'm all for it.

  • Izz_Tip-C

    Posted Feb 17, 2009 1:25 pm GMT

    @Hvac

    I couldn't of said it better myself

  • Kirky-

    Posted Feb 17, 2009 12:52 pm GMT

    Sounds like it could be interesting, but I already have a great, privately owned local store that custom builds PC's, sells all varieties of games, and fixes red rings if you're out of warranty for less than Microsoft charge.

  • Hvac0120

    Posted Feb 17, 2009 12:22 pm GMT

    @jknight542

    Microsoft can't cut off their OEM partners from Windows. That would mean that Dell and HP and all other OEM partners would be forced to turn to Apple or Linux.

    That decision would ruin Microsoft.

    On another note; Apple computers are built on a concept close to home game consoles. They have a set number of configurations. That way, all software developers know what hardware a Mac user is going to have (at minimum) and can program their applications to work with that. It's suppose to help developers and reduce development time and efforts.

    This methodology works for game consoles, but it hasn't really been doing well for Apple. I would say that Apple has been able to hold their own mostly due to their style and marketing. Apple computers are still very good for the general consumer and that audience likes what they offer.

    Microsoft's standpoint is ironic as it takes more of a freedom (open hardware) approach. Windows and applications that run on Windows are programed to handle endless configurations of computers. This works because it allows companies to choose where they want to spend their money. If a company wants cheap graphics cards and slow processors, windows will run (albeit not always very well) on their machines.

    Linux is similar to the Windows plan, but it's source code is available for anybody to use to create their own operating system. Or people can grab one of the many freely available pre-configured distributions. Linux has been best suited for the server administration world, but can work well as a consumer machine too.

  • RockmanSRD

    Posted Feb 17, 2009 12:20 pm GMT

    This would be cool if it's another way to get 360 and PC games as well. It would also be nice if we can turn in RRoD 360s and get new ones.

  • dkidfrmdbx

    Posted Feb 17, 2009 11:59 am GMT

    hopefully we can go to these stores and give in our RROD 360's every six months.

  • Hellfire1504

    Posted Feb 17, 2009 11:10 am GMT

    wow they r so stupid all they do is copy apple

  • NarcMonkey

    Posted Feb 17, 2009 11:06 am GMT

    YEARS behind Apple with this idea... as usual...

    XP

  • jknight5422

    Posted Feb 17, 2009 10:58 am GMT

    I love the 360, but cutting out the retail to push it themselves is ridiculous. Does this mean they'll soon start building their own PCs & tell Dell & the rest to find their own OS to run on? It sounds like such a copycat of Apple, that it's completely absurd. I'm smelling a Circuit City going out of business style business coming from Mr. Softy's retail stores.

    Man, just thinking about Microsoft, a software-based company, building its own retail stores, to compete with Wal-mart? It just sounds like a massive waste of money.

  • sgt-hawkins

    Posted Feb 17, 2009 10:58 am GMT

    i love how this turns into console wars

  • q_oats GameSpot staff member

    Posted Feb 17, 2009 10:14 am GMT

    very interesting...

  • ShadowXStorm

    Posted Feb 17, 2009 10:07 am GMT

    Woohoo go MS. Hopefully this shows some turn around in the company in customer service, and just not another way to make money.

  • hacavitz

    Posted Feb 17, 2009 9:59 am GMT

    Great job MS ...probably my fav retail strore GFWL WHoot

  • iwilson1296

    Posted Feb 17, 2009 9:45 am GMT

    why does microsoft keep saying they're supporting the pc and its consumers when they're doing the exact opposite?

  • hiway2hell

    Posted Feb 17, 2009 9:33 am GMT

    Good JOb Microsoft.

  • Corelis

    Posted Feb 17, 2009 9:06 am GMT

    I hope these MSretailers have support centers that are actually in-store. I can only imaging walking in the store just to video-conference support to "Bill" from Bangladesh, just so he can tell you that there is nothing he can do to help you. Would also Kick-ass if they handled the RROD while-u-wait style.

  • dzimm

    Posted Feb 17, 2009 8:46 am GMT

    shutter_speed: "if it helps promote pc gaming then good."

    Will it? The Games for Windows initiative was supposed to promote PC gaming, but that's gone over like a lead balloon. Part of that is because Microsoft doesn't really believe that PC gaming is the future, at least not as far as they're concerned, at least not as long they have an Xbox to promote.

  • carllfc

    Posted Feb 17, 2009 8:45 am GMT

    Microsoft shops?

    Sweet, easier for questions to be asked about products.

  • RPG_Fan_I_Am

    Posted Feb 17, 2009 7:55 am GMT

    this is so gonna fail, *me* goes to windows store and buys pc? I wanted windows for my house
    to neatfeatguy: lmao yea I worked at bestbuy in inventory and we will tell you anything to leave us alone . whats worse is people believe us and were like yea we have no idea what that is and you just bought it .

  • yanks1112

    Posted Feb 17, 2009 7:17 am GMT

    well, at least this will create some jobs

  • Beanmachine12

    Posted Feb 17, 2009 6:59 am GMT

    Sounds interesting... but i won't hold my breath...

  • neatfeatguy

    Posted Feb 17, 2009 6:08 am GMT

    What exactly are you going to be able to obtain at a Windows Store? Oh...wow, you can purchase a PC? Or a copy of a Windows OS? Oh, I know! I can go buy a Zune (yeah right....)

    Unless these Windows stores offer good deals on CPUs, MBs, RAM, harddrives, etc...they won't be doing anything different then what Best Buy is doing. Hell, you can get a some what of a good answer on PC stuff if you find the right person at Best Buy, but that's not too often. These stores will have nothing on the MicroCenter and Fry stores - these places at least the people working there have a good to excellent knowledge on computer parts.

    Then again, maybe Microsoft will surprise us and these stores will rock the world...

  • Paladin_King

    Posted Feb 17, 2009 4:32 am GMT

    @kakashi6666

    debatable. Apple has stores, and other electronics stores that sell their products are doing no worse for it. Anyway, i'm just surprised that it took this long. All the MS haters will gripe about it and act all surprised, but frankly, this is a logical business move for MS and one that is pretty overdue from that standpoint.

  • kakashi6666

    Posted Feb 17, 2009 3:27 am GMT

    hey guys microsofts a shark wen they open these stores whos gonna go to other pc shops i mean one ov my mates owns a computer repair shop nd put it this way if microsoft were to open near him i dont think head last to long probs like 6 months or sumit but it wuld be the same for any other computer shop tht one of these stores opend up near theyd get sqwished by them nd apple wuld get it the most lol

  • Talran1

    Posted Feb 17, 2009 3:11 am GMT

    OMG you have to be kidding me, its like they are saying oh apple has one well we need one too!

  • agentgamma

    Posted Feb 17, 2009 1:43 am GMT

    It would be EPIC if there was a BSOD AND A RROD at the MS store! XD

  • gandalf_storm

    Posted Feb 17, 2009 1:36 am GMT

    "I am so excited about helping consumers spend their money on PC and software purchases they dont actually need, and we'll make a new version of windows every year, which is critical to our success," Porter said in a statement.

  • ibanezdropd

    Posted Feb 16, 2009 11:36 pm GMT

    Yeah. I mean. I like apple.... but I like Windows too. Then again, I like Linux also. They all serve their purpose... especially if you like tinkering with computers.

  • ise1880

    Posted Feb 16, 2009 11:06 pm GMT

    yeah, now i know where to go when i need microsoft stuff. you know cause i dont live near a best buy or any other electronic store.

  • Shiftfallout

    Posted Feb 16, 2009 10:11 pm GMT

    I dont mind microsoft beating Apple at its own game. Apple was only able to succeed by heavy marketing and image association via retail chain as well as a heavily misinformed smear campaign against PCs. If thats what it takes for apple to be successful, then please Microsoft, beat them at their own game.

  • wrednajasobaka

    Posted Feb 16, 2009 8:24 pm GMT

    "Hmmmm... I wonder how many Windows the store will have! hahahahahahahahahaha, get it... windows.... like the operating system! come on thats a good one...."

    I wonder how many people will go to the Microsoft store to do window shopping.

  • tawagivercetti

    Posted Feb 16, 2009 7:56 pm GMT

    They should of done this ten years ago.

  • gatzmyer

    Posted Feb 16, 2009 7:46 pm GMT

    maybe I'll be able to take my xbox into their new store and talk to someone who actually knows what I'm talking about. what they don't tell you is that all the stores will be run by people who don't speak english and everything will cost M$ points in denominations that you can't buy. 1200 points huh? well I guess I'll buy 1600.

  • Hedfix

    Posted Feb 16, 2009 7:45 pm GMT

    Wow, so they're going to LEGALLY flood the market with cheap RAM this time around.

    How times have changed.

  • bballabarry

    Posted Feb 16, 2009 7:31 pm GMT

    Mr_KMG

    way to copy Mr_Tweedy by posting the same exact thing

  • Izz_Tip-C

    Posted Feb 16, 2009 7:19 pm GMT

    A new store catering specifically to Microsoft consumers. Good for most of us. Personally I'll only go in there if it's closer then the nearest gamestop. As for the rest of you, if you don't like it, then stfu and don't go in to window shop when it actually does open.

  • Mr_KMG posted Feb 16, 2009 5:37 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Mr_KMG

    Posted Feb 16, 2009 5:37 pm GMT (hide)

    "Microsoft retail store:

    The store opens and closes at random.

    The front door is made of iron and incredibly hard to push open, but there's a convenient revolving door in the back alley.

    When the store first opens, it will have no products and no staff. Staff will be hired 6 months after opening. Products will arrive 6 months after that. Surveillance systems will have been installed on day one.

    There are 6 versions of every product, including the candy at the checkout...

    But the "basic" version of every product is, in fact, an empty box.

    Every feature of every product will have previously appeared in a competitor's product, but the Microsoft version will have more bling and more bugs, both of which will be touted as "exclusive".

    All products will break on a weekly basis, but will be covered by an excellent warranty."

    They call them features not exclusives

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