Microsoft to copy Apple again...opening retail stores.

[MTI]

Here are some of the design models for the stores

last February Microsoft announced it would open a small chain of stores with its brand and the opportunity has appointed David Porter, a former Wal-Mart and DreamWorks, corporate vice president of new division Retail Stores.

This is not the first drop in the company of Redmond in the field of direct selling, since for some years has successfully operated a computer store, Microsoft, opened in 1999 in the shopping center Metreon in San Francisco.

The shop was later closed following the launch of the first Xbox, perhaps feeling threatened by its rival console PlayStation house of Redmond Sony, which owns the Metreon, had not renewed the lease agreement, replacing the store with a Sony Experience store.

 

[yg17]

Apple didn't invent the retail store. This is not copying.

What's next, is Bill Gates going to get a liver transplant to save his life and all of you will come on here whining about how he copied Steve Jobs?

 

[munkees]

windows store, wow, should be interesting. I would like to see how they would try to make it look cool and the gadgets etc.

Will there bee a genius bar? they will need a one.

 

[SG1-1]

Wtf

Apple didn't invent the retail store. This is not copying.

What's next, is Bill Gates going to get a liver transplant to save his life and all of you will come on here whining about how he copied Steve Jobs?

It never was said that Apple Invented the "Retail Store".

"Microsoft's answer to Apple's in-store "Genius Bar." With its newly announced retail store intentions, the Redmond-based software maker is taking yet another page from Apple's play book. Apple credits its stores, concentrated mostly in the U.S., for helping boost its profile and draw new customers."

What it say's is Microsoft is Copying, in No direct Language, The Type of Business Model Apple Uses as in terms, Layout,Help Desk "AKA Genius Bar" and other Practices used Like in the Apple Retail model used in-Store.

Please show me where it says Apple Created the Retail Store in this Article, Please. You Quoted "Apple didn't invent the retail store. This is not copying."

And yes Apple did it first with this type of Layout directly related to it business Model. With the relation to Microsoft Following and Coming in second.

But all the power to them.

Note:
May of 2001, Apple opened its first retail outlet store in Tysons Corner, Va.
And Apple has more than 255 retail stores worldwide and counting.

 

[akbc]

How the H*LL is opening a freaking retail store an Apple's idea?!

 

[SG1-1]

????

How the H*LL is opening a freaking retail store an Apple's idea?!

Yea Basicly, It say's that Microsoft is Using the Same Idea that Apple came up with to increase there offerings to the consumer.

It says noting that Apple Created the Retail Store or that it was only an Apple Idea.

It is as simple as Microsoft using the Retail type Business Model Like Apple, Nothing More Or Less.

Microsoft failed in 1999 with 1 retail store, Apple now has a running lead with that type of Business model. "Genius Bar" Product Support, training Ect.

Microsoft is now wanting to get a piece of the action, but never did it say it was an "APPLE IDEA' or that APPLE Created the Retail Store".

What it has said is that Microsoft see the Opportunity and Success that Apple has had and Now it wants to Follow with those types of services.

Tell me, Where does it say it was an "Apple Idea"?

(Opening a Retail Store with the Business Model Apple has Been using is, and has been lucrative for Apple, The question is if Microsoft thinks it can really pull it off with what they have.)

 

[kymac]

who's computers will they use? hp? dell?

 

[Kebabselector]

who's computers will they use? hp? dell?

You'd think they would have to use a broad selection from OEMs so not to show favouritism to one.

I think they should have more of the store dedicated to Xbox, PC gaming and PC peripherals.

 

[bruinsrme]

Didn't apple copy Gateway buy opening a retail chain?

 

[djellison]

It was never a Apple idea. - Sony Style stores have been around for some time.

How Apple manages to make people think it's come up with these ideas I don't know. Someone comes up with something, Apple copies it, then people spot the orig idea and it's OMFG THEY COPIEZ TEH APPLE>

Seriously - talk about an inferiority complex.

 

[SwiftLives]

Yeah - Apple doesn't generally release an item to create a new category. And when they do...well...look at the Newton, for example.

But Hard Drive-based MP3 players were around for YEARS before Apple brought out the iPod. Same with smartphones. Apple finds an existing market, develops a killer product for it, then dominates it.

Sort of like Microsoft in a way.

 

[opinioncircle]

Jeezzzz....enough with that copy thing again, what's next? Microsoft launches an OS, so they're copying Apple? Gimme a break...

 

[MTI]

who's computers will they use? hp? dell?

Interesting question. Wouldn't it be great if they just used non-descript clones built in Redmond? Then they could tweak them to make sure that all the drivers worked and there were no compatibility errors prompting the BSOD.

 

[jav6454]

I'd say MS will have the same or sorta the same PC collection as Bestbuy. Maybe MS will venture into having more pricier PCs in there for people who demand more.

Still, I want to see the Microsoft answer to the Apple Genius. I mean, after all, everything wrong with Windows is hardware problems, not software bugs. Also, I can see said team directing customers to the manufacturer instead.

 

[KingYaba]

.

 

[iPhoneNYC]

MS has made it's fortunes by copying what works for others. Have they ever had an original idea?

 

[aethelbert]

everything wrong with Windows is hardware problems, not software bugs.

Everything wrong with software is hardware?

 

[jaw04005]

This is technically Microsoft's second attempt at retail stores. Microsoft actually opened a retail store before Apple. It opened in 1999 in San Francisco at the Metreon. It was by all accounts a flop.

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/1999/jun99/microsoftsfpr.mspx

It's highly unlikely that the goal of Microsoft's new attempt will be to turn a profit at the physical store.

 

[djellison]

Microsoft actually opened a retail store before Apple.

OMFG you means teh APPLE copies Micro$SOFT HAHAH

 

[the vj]

omg, wheres the dignity?

There is not dignity in business... actually there is not much of any sort of values except making money.

 

[akbc]

Yea Basicly, It say's that Microsoft is Using the Same Idea that Apple came up with to increase there offerings to the consumer.

It says noting that Apple Created the Retail Store or that it was only an Apple Idea.

It is as simple as Microsoft using the Retail type Business Model Like Apple, Nothing More Or Less.

Microsoft failed in 1999 with 1 retail store, Apple now has a running lead with that type of Business model. "Genius Bar" Product Support, training Ect.

Microsoft is now wanting to get a piece of the action, but never did it say it was an "APPLE IDEA' or that APPLE Created the Retail Store".

What it has said is that Microsoft see the Opportunity and Success that Apple has had and Now it wants to Follow with those types of services.

Tell me, Where does it say it was an "Apple Idea"?

(Opening a Retail Store with the Business Model Apple has Been using is, and has been lucrative for Apple, The question is if Microsoft thinks it can really pull it off with what they have.)

Lol, yeah I totally agree with you. I was just ticked off at people posting "omfg they're copying apple again" LOL. They made it sound like it was Apple's idea all along

 

[pdxshad]

Original Microsoft Store in 1999 proves Microsoft was first into retail

So can we kill this thread? The store sucked, but it was first. It's proximity to Macworld (1/2 block) probably means Apple saw it and liked the idea back in 99. Then did it right.