Microsoft to Open Retail Stores

When I first read this Highlight in the New York Times, I was thinking what in the world is Microsoft doing? As bad as economic times are right now Microsoft is going to begin designing and opening several retail stores. They hired an executive from Wal-Mart to oversee the project. The stores will offer their products such as Zunes, Xboxs and software as well as technical support.
My first response to opening these stores was how are they going to compete with Apple? Apple has such a variety of products and has done an amazing job with the design and overall feel of their retail stores. When you go to an Apple store its an experience. Is Microsoft going to be able to compete with that? They are a very successful company but not one that I can imagine being entertaining and eventful when visiting their store. Another key point was hiring an executive from Wal-Mart. Why? The company is very successful but definitely is not known for their amazing floor layouts or creative displays. I am interested to see how he will be able to take the knowledge and experience and transfer it to Microsoft. I do think that a Microsoft store has a chance of being successful if designed and managed correctly. They are some people who need help understanding new advances in computer systems. If they had an area for help and training i think it would influence more people to learn and be more familiar with everything that a computer can do. I will be interested to see where they choose to place the Microsoft store based off of the demographics and what the stores will offer. I found it very interesting that they were considering bringing back the little paperclip that used to pop up for Microsoft help and placing the character in the stores. I think it's a creative move not necessarily a successful move. I will be interested to follow up on this article and see what advances in the line of the products that they will carry and what types of services the stores will offer. They will definitely have major competition with Apple.

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/13/will-clippy-be-a-greeter-at-microsofts-new-stores/?scp=1&sq=microsoft%20window%20shopping&st=cse