Microsoft Stores Are Permanently Closing

[MacRumors]

Microsoft today announced that it is permanently closing its physical stores worldwide. The company's retail employees will continue to serve customers through Microsoft's corporate offices and remotely, providing sales, training, and support.

Microsoft will continue to operate its online storefront, and it also has plans for reimagined "Experience Centers" for customers in New York City, London, Sydney, and at its headquarters in Redmond, Washington.

"Our sales have grown online as our product portfolio has evolved to largely digital offerings, and our talented team has proven success serving customers beyond any physical location," said Microsoft Corporate Vice President David Porter. "We are grateful to our Microsoft Store customers and we look forward to continuing to serve them online and with our retail sales team at Microsoft corporate locations."

Microsoft opened its first store in Scottsdale, Arizona in October 2009, eight years after Apple's first stores opened in Glendale, California and the Washington, D.C. area.

Article Link: Microsoft Stores Are Permanently Closing

 

[smartbot]

Wow, didn't expect that. I guess they must have been taking pretty big losses at these physical stores...

 

[digitalrampage]

4 stores are remaining -London, Sydney , Redmond and NYC

 

[edk99]

I did not even know Microsoft had stores.

 

[arkmannj]

hmm makes me feel a little bad for never going in one. I always intended too but never did. But from a distance they always seemed kind of empty (or minimalist) both in terms of product and customers.

 

[jonnysods]

Interesting idea. I guess they have setups in stores like Best Buy if you want to check out the hardware. I thought the MS stores were helpful to improve the brand image, but I imagine the fiscal benefits are compelling.

 

[Blu-ray1972]

Not surprising as every time I've walked by a Microsoft Store or been in one there's hardly anyone there. Conversely the Apple Store is usually packed with people.

 

[Brenster]

The one or two times I’ve passed the London Oxford Circus store and looked in, it was never as busy as the two or three provincial Apple Stores near where I live in NW England. I know the London MS store is staying but the rent must be eye-watering on that place.

 

[-DMN-]

Take it to the Microsoft store
-no one ever

 

[debstars]

Such an Apple Store rip-off, just look at the windows and the large, lit displays inside.

 

[barkomatic]

hmm makes me feel a little bad for never going in one. I always intended too but never did. But from a distance they always seemed kind of empty (or minimalist) both in terms of product and customers.

They were kinda fun in that they usually featured some of the best PC's available that you could try out -- some of which you can't easily find on display in Best Buy. Otherwise, they were really very Apple store like but didn't quite hit the mark.

 

[bchery21]

Wow, their stores were half decent. I don't know if putting them right next to Apple stores in a few malls I've been in helped.

 

[FaustsHausUK]

What a terrible time for more job losses, I hope they can help people find new roles within the company or at least hold them over till they can apply elsewhere.

The only location I've seen was a small unit in the North Bridge mall in Chicago. It was never particularly busy, but Michigan Ave also has a massive Best Buy with a better range of products.

 

[mazz0]

Not surprising as every time I've walked by a Microsoft Store or been in one there's hardly anyone there. Conversely the Apple Store is usually packed with people.

Butbutbut! Look at the picture!!

[automerge]1593179109[/automerge]
Wait - is that a photoshopped Apple Store?!

 

[debstars]

Not surprising as every time I've walked by a Microsoft Store or been in one there's hardly anyone there. Conversely the Apple Store is usually packed with people.

Speaking of that, the picture above looks rigged, actually. Check this guy, who is he talking to? Looks plastered on.

 

[ToeCough]

The store in my area was directly across the apple store in a mall. The Apple store was always packed and the Microsoft store was literally empty. Zero customers. Just a bunch of bored looking employees.
I always thought they should have turned it into an Xbox Cafe.

 

[naturalstar]

Woah... but to be honest I may have been in one once out of curiosity from when they first opened.

It’s not Microsoft that’s the draw. It’s the other manufacturers that use Windows and have better hardware specs. Maybe the Xbox fans went often. I’m a PS fan myself.

 

[DelayedGratificationGene]

Just doesn’t seem right. Need some physical presence. How much could they be losing? Rent money and some staff salaries? Even just to keep your brand name visible more to consumers.

 

[Unggoy Murderer]

It's a real shame, would have thought even if it was losing money on paper, it was giving customers the opportunity for hands-on experiences with their gear. It's the only place I've been able to try out the Surface Studio.

The stores were pretty quiet in my experience, even though the concept was very Apple'y. Some of the Hololens / AR/VR stuff was good too.

Hopefully the store colleagues get redeployed elsewhere in Microsoft.

 

[AustinIllini]

They were always crap knock off stores, anyway.

 

[iReality85]

Not surprising as every time I've walked by a Microsoft Store or been in one there's hardly anyone there. Conversely the Apple Store is usually packed with people.

Same. Two very different customer bases.

 

[toph2toast]

Good. I hope every other physical retailer follows suit and as a society we transition to online/delivery for every need.

I don't. There are plenty of products I'd like to see side-by-side, test out for myself, etc. before buying.

 

[Madmic23]

Where did you find a photo of a Microsoft store jammed with people? Every time I’ve walked by one there was like, 3 customers and 5 sales reps in the store.

 

[macslayer118]

What a terrible time for more job losses, I hope they can help people find new roles within the company or at least hold them over till they can apply elsewhere.

The only location I've seen was a small unit in the North Bridge mall in Chicago. It was never particularly busy, but Michigan Ave also has a massive Best Buy with a better range of products.

The second sentence in the article says they will...

 

[Murkrage]

Such an Apple Store rip-off, just look at the windows and the large, lit displays inside.

Windows... that's why you feel it's a rip-off? Windows? Guess my building's lobby is also an Apple rip-off, has the same type of windows. Or maybe all stores using high windows, mostly clothing stores, are Apple rip-off? WINDOWS!