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Microsoft Targeting Apple Stores With New Retail Store Concept

snberk103 said:
Let's assume, for the sake of argument, that Microsoft has a good business plan for their stores. And, for the sake of argument lets suppose that in fact MS would like the store to at least break-even. Other wise they would have to spend a lot of money on the stores to recoup the small amount that they are losing to Apple.

1) Putting MS stores near Apple stores is not a dumb idea. In fact it saves them money.... Apple has done all the demographic research to place their stores. Franchise food operations do it all the time. Burger King, when they were starting up, merely located near an existing MacDonalds. Mickey D's had already identified neighbourhoods where people liked to eat hamburgers (as opposed to those neighbourhoods that liked lobster where neither McD's or BK would sell many 'burgers.)

2) Since the Apple friendly locations have a higher proportion of people who have a higher than average disposable income (whether or not we like it, we must accept that Apple computers have a premium price tag. I happen to think the premium is justified by a system that 'Just works' and that works well)... then the MS stores aren't likely to be carrying cheap PCs. Customers in those retail locations aren't shopping at Walmart.

3) If MS stores aren't trying to attract the price-point conscious customer, then we can assume that the products are going to be higher-end products.... products with a larger profit margin. I don't know which PC makers fit that bill, but it I don't think it will be Dell. Perhaps they will partner with Lenovo? If MS is worried that they are losing market share to Apple in the small business sector, then that is a possible partnership. Packaging a small business solution, and having someone who can explain it in person, could do well - and undercut what I think is Apple's next big market push - Small Businesses who need a small network.

4) Or MS is totally out to Lunch.
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the later
 
happydude said:
i can't imagine anything more exiting than a store showcasing microsoft products . . . wow, i can't wait . . . i wonder how long the overnight camped out line will be.
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The only line of people you'll see at a Microsuck store will be if they decide to copy Apple's "Genius Bar" concept for customer service. That one would likely be out the door every day. :D
 
I come to these forums only to realize that it's really only the highly opinionated that dwell in them. And from time to time, I laugh at how this draws parallels to ever 4chan...

Insanely gung-ho people with a predictable response pattern
A Place to voice ones opinion with a childlike fervor....
"humor"

Ahh.... can you smell it?
 
LagunaSol said:
Says the blind 90% Microsoft market share masses shackled by spyware-ridden, bloated crapware.

Lemmings who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
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I always wonder why PC users call Mac users lemmings and sheep when they have 90 percent share.
 
Goona said:
I always wonder why PC users call Mac users lemmings and sheep when they have 90 percent share.
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95%. Its because PC users don't have an orgasm every time Microsoft announces a new product line, or feel the need to defend Microsoft every time they do something questionable.
 
M$FT should buy up Dell, get rid of the Dell Brand so its just a Microsoft Computer, and stop distributing to other corps and build it your self-ers, so they can say "We also have a complete computing eXPerence."

:rolleyes:
 
Goona said:
I always wonder why PC users call Mac users lemmings and sheep when they have 90 percent share.
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I think it's because if Gates or Ballmer told us to jump over a cliff we wouldn't whereas if Jobs told Mac users to they probably would. ;)
 
the stores will reportedly be designed more to "showcase" Microsoft products and build brand awareness than to serve as retail distribution points
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Yea the whole idea of opening up a store that sells things is so played out.



Wut
the
fuhk
 
Diseal3 said:
ROFLLLL Microsoft <3.... come on guys everyone knows that HP/Dell or ASUS or somebody is going to chip in and have Microsoft sell there computers in the store.



I disagree... I like Windows 7 more then Mac OS X leopard... I think the best digital media and app store is limewire and the best personal computer is one that can satisfy you needs. I do agree that the iPhone and the best media player is the ipod at the given moment, Zune HD looks interesting.
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Windows 7 is but Vista 2.0. It is still Windows. Still has the same problems. Been using Vista/7 every week for the past 3 years, and Leopard still blows 7 out of the water. It cannot compare, and for you to make that statement just shows how much of a bandwagon jumper you are.

Get out.
 
AppleZwei said:
Windows 7 is but Vista 2.0. It is still Windows. Still has the same problems. Been using Vista/7 every week for the past 3 years, and Leopard still blows 7 out of the water. It cannot compare, and for you to make that statement just shows how much of a bandwagon jumper you are.

Get out.
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You've been using Vista and 7 for three years?

That would be difficult since Vista's only been out for two and a bit.

Troll different.
 
Yeah I've been using Vista/7 for 3 years.

Windows 7 = Windows Vista SP3. It really doesn't add anything new except for a new taskbar and some add ons to Flip3D. It's perhaps a bit more responsive, but actual programs aren't any faster.
 
Diseal3 said:
ROFLLLL Microsoft <3.... come on guys everyone knows that HP/Dell or ASUS or somebody is going to chip in and have Microsoft sell there computers in the store.



I disagree... I like Windows 7 more then [sic] Mac OS X leopard... I think the best digital media and app store is limewire and the best personal computer is one that can satisfy you [sic] needs. I do agree that the iPhone [is the best smartphone] and the best media player is the ipod at the given moment[.] Zune HD looks interesting.
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Um, are you comparing a vaporware product (Win7) with a shipping product (OS X 10.5, Leopard)? In your humble opinion, how does Win7 stack up against the coming "Snow Leopard"? If your intent is to compare only non-shipping products against each other, we might be more interested in your opinion.

Oh, and once again . . . are you comparing the Zune HD (more vaporware) against the actually-shipping iPod Touch? Or perhaps the next-gen iPod?
 
AppleZwei said:
Yeah I've been using Vista/7 for 3 years.

Windows 7 = Windows Vista SP3. It really doesn't add anything new except for a new taskbar and some add ons to Flip3D. It's perhaps a bit more responsive, but actual programs aren't any faster.
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Uh... did you miss the part where I mentioned it hasn't actually been out for three years?
 
BongoBanger said:
Really? How did you get access to Vista Beta testing. Specifically.
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Same way everyone and their brother had a Beta of Windows 7. Are you that clueless? Just go to any tech board on the web and people have been using Windows 7 for at least 8 months.

Same way people are using Snow Leopard right now without being Developers.
 
Peace said:
They're not even going to actually SELL anything ?
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Yebot said:
Yea the whole idea of opening up a store that sells things is so played out.
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That way the can honestly tell stockholders that "sales" at the MS Stores are holding steady.:D:p

I'm glad I don't own any MS stock. I'd be pissed if I did. MS lost it's direction after Gates stepped down. I know they've got resources to burn, but competing with everybody in every market isn't too bright, IMO. Taking on Nintendo and Sony in the gaming market, taking on Apple and Linux in the OS market, taking on Google in the web search market, taking on Apple in the retail AND media player market. MS is spreading itself thin.
 
AppleZwei said:
Same way everyone and their brother had a Beta of Windows 7. Are you that clueless? Just go to any tech board on the web and people have been using Windows 7 for at least 8 months.

Same way people are using Snow Leopard right now without being Developers.
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I actually mention the Vista Beta, not the 7 beta. If that's your level of attention to detail you'll pardon me if I don't take your opinions seriously.
 
Eidorian said:
I only buy from Apple's online refurbished store or other resellers for the same reason, price.
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I don't really see what you want to convey with this statement. Are your buying habits in any way relevant to the general public?

Apple stores make more revenue per square foot than the odd jewelry store. Thus, there must be quite a few people who buy there. I wonder if the very same people would go into an MS store.
 
BongoBanger said:
I actually mention the Vista Beta, not the 7 beta. If that's your level of attention to detail you'll pardon me if I don't take your opinions seriously.
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First you have a problem with me saying I've used Vista for 3 years.
Then you asked me how I got the Vista Beta.


I reply with saying the same way people have the Windows 7 beta and Snow Leopard previews.

Your statement... is invalid.
 
Kevin Turner said:
"We will have some retail stores that are opened up right next door to Apple stores this fall."
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Why was it necessary to even mention Apple? If Microsoft wants to try the retail concept again, fine. If your internal marketing research showed your store would likely be more successful if strategically placed near an Apple retail store, fine. However, for Microsoft's COO to publicly state that your new retail stores are going to be "right next door" to Apple is embarrassing and screams of desperation.

It would be like Wal-Mart issuing a press release stating that they're going to build their next set of stores right next to Target or K-Mart. Even Burger King doesn't brag that their real estate scouting budget is next to nothing compared to McDonald's.

MacRumors said:
Microsoft's previous attempt at the retail store concept consisted of a single location opened in June 1999 in San Francisco's Sony Metreon shopping center. Hampered by its location in a tech-focused shopping center that never lived up to Sony's plans, the "microsoftSF" store closed in late 2001.
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You can chalk the Metreon up to another one of Sony's failed projects.
 
Didn't Dell already try the whole "retail store that doesn't actually sell anything" approach?

I never ceased to be amazed by MS' inability to "get it."
 
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