Microsoft confirms it’s opening its first international store in Yorkdale this fall (http://www.thestar.com/business/article/1224877--microsoft-confirms-it-s-opening-its-first-international-store-in-yorkdale-this-fall)

http://i.thestar.com/images/d4/31/0b8269dc448cbfdbb7b2dc7ba263.jpg (http://www.thestar.com/business/article/1224877--microsoft-confirms-it-s-opening-its-first-international-store-in-yorkdale-this-fall)

Microsoft has an answer for analysts who want to know how the new retail location at the Yorkdale mall will compete against the long-established Apple store.

Community development specialists.Apple created a splash with its retail store design when it launched with its tethered equipment and genius bar staffed by tech specialists.

And while it doesn’t have staff tagged as community development specialists, it also runs in-store programs that engage the community.

Jeff Doucette, retail consultant at Field Agent Canada, says the retail stores will be a great way for Microsoft to connect with consumers, especially since it has a strong business and office heritage.

(TorontoStar (http://www.thestar.com/business/article/1224877--microsoft-confirms-it-s-opening-its-first-international-store-in-yorkdale-this-fall))

I will go to see the staffers do their little dance.

Developers, developers, developers, developers, developers...., developers, developers, developers, developers, developers!

With the expansion construction currently going in immediately south of the current Apple Store location in Yorkdale, there has been speculation that Apple may improve to a larger store in the Mall.

Imagine if they gave Microsoft the old Apple Store location…


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

With the expansion construction currently going in immediately south of the current Apple Store location in Yorkdale, there has been speculation that Apple may improve to a larger store in the Mall.

Imagine if they gave Microsoft the old Apple Store location…


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

funny as everyone is trying to look and feel like apple... so might as well save them the set up costs LOL

but possibly before they hand over the old location to any one..give the employees a stress relieve day - come in and trash the place with a sludge hammer before moving to the new location... :lmao:

Apple should be happy MS will open a location.. once you try the products, you simple head over to Apple and buy the real deal..

I for one will go to MS store and give them a box of usb keys i have that are Microsoft labelled - and demand reparation as they damaged my USB ports on my macbook Pro, I had my logic board replaced under warranty so I am lucky.. Maybe I will get credit for a zune or nokia win 8 phone.

I will go to see the staffers do their little dance.

And see what gets shoplifted in the background while the staffers are busy dancing.

TSAXEVXvNz8
8To-6VIJZRE

TSAXEVXvNz8
8To-6VIJZRE

That's the one! Watch the customer who pops a box into her bag at 2:12 just as the dancers change direction. ;)

Also, I think developers make Steve Ballmer all hot and sweaty.

Has anyone shopped at the Sony Store ?

My feeling is the Microsoft store will be the same as the Sony Store.

- Resented by competitors
- Resented by other resellers
- Customers will come in looking for help when there is a problem, but shop around on price when time to buy, in other words a complaint haven

I feel sorry for anyone who works there. Imagine having to be ready to defend and /or help:

Zune owners
X-Box 360 gamers
Windows Vista users
Microsoft wireless products and users
Hotmail ?

Has anyone shopped at the Sony Store ?

My feeling is the Microsoft store will be the same as the Sony Store.

- Resented by competitors
- Resented by other resellers
- Customers will come in looking for help when there is a problem, but shop around on price when time to buy, in other words a complaint haven

I feel sorry for anyone who works there. Imagine having to be ready to defend and /or help:

Zune owners
X-Box 360 gamers
Windows Vista users
Microsoft wireless products and users
Hotmail ?

You forgot to include Microsoft's new mobile device...the Microphone. :D

Will the computers be live, and online, and free to use/browse? Or will they be locked down, password protected, and showing a screensaver like every other computer store?

Will the computers be live, and online, and free to use/browse? Or will they be locked down, password protected, and showing a screensaver like every other computer store?

Good question. The big problem with the Microsoft Store concept is that they don't actually make any hardware to put on display. They hire other manufacturers to build stuff for them. And even then, what is there? XBoxes and Zunes (the latter discontinued). So all that's left is software, really, and everyone already knows how Windows and Office works. Also, vapourware like The Surface doesn't count, although they could turn a head if they put the original Surface and Sphere on display.