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Microsoft Stores Are Permanently Closing
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Without even going into why you think that would be a good thing or that your preference should rule all, that's not gonna happen.
They had one in the large mall here in Delaware. The mall re opened after COVID, but the store didn't.
The same wing of the mall has (had) a Microsoft store, Comcast store, and Apple store. All within a few 100 feet of each other. A Bose store too.
The Bose store and the Microsoft store are kaput. The Apple store had a line last Saturday (mostly because of the screening process to get it, but a line nevertheless).
The Bose store was kinda a waste. I like Bose products (have their headset and the Revolve Bluetooth in my office), but I never set foot in the place. I just ordered from Best Buy and got it there. I got the headset from a national wholesale club.
I have no interest in the Comcast store either. A store for cable TV & internet? I like many, have dropped cable. I can only imagine what the pandemic is doing to cable subs with no live sports. And shouldn't internet service be something you get, um, on the internet? I mean, a cable TV store? Verizon tried this for Fios. Epic flop.
The same wing of the mall has (had) a Microsoft store, Comcast store, and Apple store. All within a few 100 feet of each other. A Bose store too.
The Bose store and the Microsoft store are kaput. The Apple store had a line last Saturday (mostly because of the screening process to get it, but a line nevertheless).
The Bose store was kinda a waste. I like Bose products (have their headset and the Revolve Bluetooth in my office), but I never set foot in the place. I just ordered from Best Buy and got it there. I got the headset from a national wholesale club.
I have no interest in the Comcast store either. A store for cable TV & internet? I like many, have dropped cable. I can only imagine what the pandemic is doing to cable subs with no live sports. And shouldn't internet service be something you get, um, on the internet? I mean, a cable TV store? Verizon tried this for Fios. Epic flop.
Dang I actually really liked the Microsoft Store. I didn’t care about the laptops, but the Xbox side of the store was awesome. I liked playing some games, and they even had tournaments in the back. Plus they usually had a cool VR headset to play.
I wonder if this might happen to Apple Stores as well. The world will come out of this crisis a lot poorer than it was before, and Apple can’t live off the rich minority alone to keep all of its stores running. I’d say they’ll probably have to close a few stores in some locations around the world.
No they don't. Most of their business is through corporate channels and the cloud. Xbox sells itself quite easily. Surface is a glorified hardware reference line that hardly justifies branded retail presence.
They were a bit confusing and mainly filled with kids who wanted to game on the Xbox. At least that was what I saw at the one here in my city. It was only opened for ~2 years, and sat directly above Apple.
The Apple store is doing quite well in my area, even when closed. My local Apple Store has about 20 people working for it full time, even though the mall in it is closed to people. It's mostly for Apple Care. They have taken over a section of one of the empty parking lots, and greet you with masks and gloves, and help with Apple Care issues or purchasing new items. Driving by the parking lots, it's VERY busy. I would think that the Apple Stores won't have a problem post-covid.
There was a store at Mall of America. Right across from the Apple store. Whenever I walked by it the store was empty except for maybe someone playing video games. Either Surface products aren’t really growing or Microsoft doesn’t think it needs physical stores to showcase them.
I hope you are just being sarcastic cause if you're not..you need to go out more.
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Funny how most of the Microsoft Stores are just two-three stores away from Apple Stores.
How are you going to buy shoes, glasses, cars, or many other things without being able to see and touch them first?
Thats not realistic. People have in intense desire to see and touch particularly when making a purchase. There is also the immediacy factor when people want or need something “right now.” Many things can be purchased online without needing to be seen and touched, but for many other items thats akin to buying something sight unseen. You can do a lot of preliminary research online for items of interest, but many people will still want to physically interact with said items before they actually buy.
People are also social animals and we like to exchange information firsthand in person. Also someone could well provide you with information you need yet might never have thought to inquire about.
Retail as we go forward will not be all online. It will be a mix of online and physical stores working in tandem.
Oh I saw. But I also see the unemployment rate is still rising, so I'm hesitant to take any guarantee at face value.
I think the issue is that they don't really sell that many laptops and phones.
Think about this: Apple is around 20% of phone market and 50% of premium phone market, 5% of the laptop market, and I'm not sure about the exact numbers but probably very significant percentages for Apple Watch, iMac, etc
Meanwhile, Surface laptops is the best selling product for Microsoft. Here is a comparison:
It's not even close, and Microsoft isn't really selling anything else. So it makes total sense that their shops are not profitable and are getting closed after the Surface lineup didn't take off.
Think about this: Apple is around 20% of phone market and 50% of premium phone market, 5% of the laptop market, and I'm not sure about the exact numbers but probably very significant percentages for Apple Watch, iMac, etc
Meanwhile, Surface laptops is the best selling product for Microsoft. Here is a comparison:
It's not even close, and Microsoft isn't really selling anything else. So it makes total sense that their shops are not profitable and are getting closed after the Surface lineup didn't take off.
How will anyone tell the difference? Always empty except a kid playing video games.
Well there are limited spots of high density commercial locations.........you will not find only Microsoft and Apple Stores but also the same brands, even non tech related.
I think it was about four years ago, around christmas, that i posted on here photos of the apple store, Microsoft store, and samsung pop-up store, all in the same mall (westgate valley fair in Santa Clara). Apole store packed, the other two ghost towns. It was quite the sensation at the time.
I purchased all 3 of those items in the last year online and had no issues with it.
Shoes can be be bought from Amazon
Glasses can be bought from Zenni.com
Cars can be bought from eBay motors or Canvana
It's very possible.
The photo that accompanies this story shows more people than have EVER been in a Microsoft Store.
Do they really need a huge physical presence? When you have hardware manufacturers carrying your software regardless of what a customer buys? When you have businesses from large F50 to small mom and pops that run you software? Consulting and implementation partners who deploy your systems for you? Electronic retailer that offer your product and you basically split the personal gaming console market with one other company?
Maybe the stores could come back reimagined, but they really don’t sell much under their own brand beyond software, the Surface products and Xbox. The only convenience would be an in-store repair appointment if that was an option. Software is downloadable and the rest I can get online or at a retailer.