Microsoft again forays into retail

This is not the company’s first venture into retail business. Microsoft had earlier, from 1999 to 2001, opened a retail store in San Francisco.

Though Microsoft’s initial foray into retail was not successful, the company is looking forward to using the opportunity to analysis how customers perceive its products and meet their requirements.

The company’s store will feature its products like software, Xbox 360 game consoles, a massive 94-inch video screen etc.

Microsoft aiming to bolster sales
Both, Windows 7 and store launch, are aimed at revving up Microsoft’s market share, which has plummeted in the recent quarters. The reason: Vista has performed poorly and also the company has been hit hard by the economic downturn.

With the market recovering, the company is also gearing up to regain its lost market share and is leaving no stone unturned to achieve that.

Opening its own store means that the company has realized that retailers are not effective enough to explain the benefits and address the problems users face with their operating systems. The company has over the years relied on Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Fry's and other retail chains to sell its products.

With its new store, and others to come up in future, Microsoft is hoping to first-hand address all performance issues, which otherwise could impede sales, raised regarding Windows 7 by users.

Mixed reactions from online readers
Though Microsoft is optimistic that its latest endeavor to open its own store will yield positive outcome, the readers online discussing company’s move have shown mixed reactions.

Though some have appreciated software gaint’s attempt, others have condemned it.

A reader named BacteriaEP commented on engadget.com- “All I saw was a grand opening for a store that was hugely hyped and so people came out to see the festivities. Seemed like a good time actually.

“Kudos to Microsoft for the ability to sell themselves and their store like an Apple store, seriously. It's not an easy feat to garner that kind of attention.”

Another reader named StalePancake posted his view on PCWorld, “As I understand it, Microsoft will sell PCs in the store. This gives them a much better chance of success.”

“Just another "me too" attempt to be cool - Good luck - losers - The way to show off an ecosystem in technology is to own the whole damn thing (ie Apple or SAP) - when sales are falling flat after the first month what are they going to sell then, t-shirts and floor mats with the windows logo on it - we will see those two stores in the annual report next year written off as a loss. I needed a laugh today - Thanks Balmer!,” commented reader named iEverything- on usatoday.com.