Microsoft follows Apple with own retail shops
Microsoft is following Apple's lead by opening its own retail stores.
The software giant has named David Porter as corporate vice president of retail stores, whose first order of business will be to define locations, time frames, and specifics for a series of Microsoft-branded retail sores. Porter was head of worldwide product distribution for DreamWorks Animation SKG and starts work at Microsoft next Monday.
This is a major departure for Microsoft, which has relied on high-street retailers to pump out PCs, Windows, Zunes, and copies of Office to consumers. But in recent months, Microsoft has seen the lights go out on one high-street retailer after another.
Apple, meanwhile, has peppered the globe with flagship stores that sell Macs, iPods, software, and provide customers with decent support.
The retail campaign comes as Microsoft has attempted to re-establish its link with consumers with the coming Windows 7, in the wake of disappointing Windows Vista sales and Apple's satirical TV campaign.
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