Microsoft is planning to open the first of its planned retail stores next to current Apple shops this drop.Kevin Turner,
Office Home And Student 2010 Key, Microsoft;s Chief Running Officer, informed partners the news during his Worldwide Partner Conference keynote on July 15. A variety of attendees tweeted Turner;s words right away.Microsoft officials announced in February that Microsoft was organizing to open retail stores but have provided few particulars given that that time as to what the retailers would appear like or when they;d open. I did listen to from some Softies the shops wouldn;t be clones of Apple;s,
Windows 7 Keygen, and that they;d be more showcases than real retail outlets.Turner informed Spouse show attendees that the information Microsoft acquired from operating the retailers would be “shared with partners.”According to partners attending the conference,
Office 2007 Pro Key, Turner said Microsoft wouldn;t be imitating Apple; it could be innovating with the new stores. Earlier this year, Microsoft officials said the shops would be additional about building Microsoft;s consumer brand than distribution.Microsoft hired David Porter,
Microsoft Office 2007 Ultimate, a former Dreamworks Animation and Wal-mart exec,
Office 2010 Product Key, as Corporate Vice President of Retail Shops earlier this year.Microsoft is set to make
Windows 7 generally available on October 22. No word so significantly if the Microsoft retail retailers will open around that same date. I;ve asked Microsoft for much more information — where the shops will be located, how several will open this drop, etc. No response so far.Update: A Microsoft spokesperson provided the following statement, for what it;s worth:“As we progress on our retail strategy there will be scenarios where we have retailers in proximity to Apple. We are on track to open shops inside the Fall timeframe.“Beyond that we have no further particulars to share.”