Microsoft to open retail stores - GoFuckYourself.com

EscortBiz · 02-12-2009, 08:16 PM

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/090212/tec_m...il_stores.html

Microsoft hires Wal-Mart veteran to oversee new retail store plans despite recession

SEATTLE (AP) -- Microsoft Corp. on Thursday announced plans to open its own stores despite the economic downturn that has left many retailers struggling.

The company hired David Porter, a 25-year veteran of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., as its corporate vice president of retail stores. Porter was head of worldwide product distribution at DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. since 2007.

Porter, who is set to start work on Tuesday, is charged with improving the PC-buying experience. The company said his first task will be to set the timing, locations and design of Microsoft-branded retail stores, which will sell computers installed with Microsoft software as well as other company products.

Microsoft has been working to revive the image of its ubiquitous Windows operating system, starting with a $300 million advertising campaign that began last fall. Vista, the most recent version of the software, was widely criticized for being slow, requiring new and pricer hardware, and not working with devices like printers and scanners. Vista has also been the subject of a series of snarky television ads from Apple Inc.

At the same time it launched upbeat new TV ads last fall, some of which struck right back at Apple, Microsoft posted 144 of its own employees in electronics chain stores around the world to talk with shoppers about Windows.

The "Gurus" seemed to be 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.

But Microsoft's timing may be off. The U.S. recession has socked the retail sector, and purveyors of electronics have been hit hard. Circuit City Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November and said in January it would liquidate its 567 U.S. stores, cutting more than 34,000 jobs. Best Buy Inc. laid off thousands of corporate employees in December and reported same-store sales -- a key measure of retail health -- sank 6.5 percent.

Even Apple, whose iPods, iMacs and iPhones draw brand-conscious customers willing to spend more for design, was hit in the holiday quarter by the recession as average sales per store dropped to $7 million from $8.5 million in 2007.

Microsoft had no comment on the plight of Apple and the big-box stores, but said its own retail stores can help shoppers make smarter decisions about spending money on technology.

The company had set up a concept store at its headquarters with displays of Windows computers, Xbox 360 consoles and games and other items. But the company said it's meant to help stores like Best Buy see new merchandising ideas in action, and is not a prototype for stand-alone retail stores.

Jon Clark - BANNED FOR LIFE · 02-12-2009, 08:26 PM

Interesting...

Mr. E · 02-12-2009, 08:30 PM

Now pissed off PC users will have a live person to yell at when Windows crashes their computer and all the other joys of owning a PC

Bro Media - BANNED FOR LIFE · 02-12-2009, 08:39 PM

Not a bad move, just as long as they don't try to snipe at Apple's designs.

NaughtyRob · 02-12-2009, 10:34 PM

If anyone has the marketing money to launch it they do. It could work.

doridori · 02-12-2009, 11:26 PM

good good. MSFT has enough cash to screw up a few times and still be solvent. only a matter of time now until they win at conquering the worlds.

ExLust · 02-13-2009, 01:58 AM

Well that's good. Looking forward to that.

JD · 02-13-2009, 03:14 AM

bad bad bad

Kimo · 02-13-2009, 06:50 AM

perfect timing

gideongallery · 02-13-2009, 07:04 AM

this is a brilliant move especially because of the bad economic times.

Vista works great if all the hardware is certified logo complient
these stores can carry only logo compliant pc which will not crash, or fuck up (at least not as much as non compliant shit)

as more and more people associate good pc with the microsoft stores, they will take business away from the other chains.
Of course they will show their channel partners who if they make sure that the entire pc is logo compliant they can have pc that will not crash either and therefore will not lose their customers to microsoft stores.

which will shift sales away from non compliant stuff to logo compliant stuff in all their channel partners too.

Sosa · 02-13-2009, 08:26 AM

Def not a place I would want to be working at.

tranza · 02-13-2009, 09:07 AM

That looks a nice idea...

UFGators2007 · 02-13-2009, 11:42 AM

Great idea...wrong time to implement it.

Reak AGV · 02-13-2009, 01:00 PM

It's a horrible idea, I think

View Poll Results: Good idea or bad idea
Good Idea	9	40.91%
Bad Idea	13	59.09%
Voters: 22. You may not vote on this poll

02-12-2009, 08:16 PM	#1
EscortBiz Fuck Checks, CASH only! Join Date: May 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 19,422	Microsoft to open retail stores http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/090212/tec_m...il_stores.html Microsoft hires Wal-Mart veteran to oversee new retail store plans despite recession SEATTLE (AP) -- Microsoft Corp. on Thursday announced plans to open its own stores despite the economic downturn that has left many retailers struggling. The company hired David Porter, a 25-year veteran of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., as its corporate vice president of retail stores. Porter was head of worldwide product distribution at DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. since 2007. Porter, who is set to start work on Tuesday, is charged with improving the PC-buying experience. The company said his first task will be to set the timing, locations and design of Microsoft-branded retail stores, which will sell computers installed with Microsoft software as well as other company products. Microsoft has been working to revive the image of its ubiquitous Windows operating system, starting with a $300 million advertising campaign that began last fall. Vista, the most recent version of the software, was widely criticized for being slow, requiring new and pricer hardware, and not working with devices like printers and scanners. Vista has also been the subject of a series of snarky television ads from Apple Inc. At the same time it launched upbeat new TV ads last fall, some of which struck right back at Apple, Microsoft posted 144 of its own employees in electronics chain stores around the world to talk with shoppers about Windows. The "Gurus" seemed to be 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. But Microsoft's timing may be off. The U.S. recession has socked the retail sector, and purveyors of electronics have been hit hard. Circuit City Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November and said in January it would liquidate its 567 U.S. stores, cutting more than 34,000 jobs. Best Buy Inc. laid off thousands of corporate employees in December and reported same-store sales -- a key measure of retail health -- sank 6.5 percent. Even Apple, whose iPods, iMacs and iPhones draw brand-conscious customers willing to spend more for design, was hit in the holiday quarter by the recession as average sales per store dropped to $7 million from $8.5 million in 2007. Microsoft had no comment on the plight of Apple and the big-box stores, but said its own retail stores can help shoppers make smarter decisions about spending money on technology. The company had set up a concept store at its headquarters with displays of Windows computers, Xbox 360 consoles and games and other items. But the company said it's meant to help stores like Best Buy see new merchandising ideas in action, and is not a prototype for stand-alone retail stores. __________________ Spanking, Medical Fetish, Sleeping, Strap-on Anal Lesbians, Girls Fucking Guys, Handjob site REAL HOT, Shemales, Anal and Ass Licking sites 100% Real EXCLUSIVE with amazing retention, ccbill payouts, lots of content FREE FTP HOSTING Promote the largest and oldest member paid escort site, Converts 10 times better then any dating site, CCBill payouts ICQ# 158802076

02-12-2009, 10:34 PM	#5
NaughtyRob Two fresh affiliate progs Industry Role: Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Inside teen pussy Posts: 29,602	If anyone has the marketing money to launch it they do. It could work. __________________ [email protected] Skype: 17026955414 Vacares Web Hosting - Protect Your Ass with Included Daily Backups

02-13-2009, 01:58 AM	#7
ExLust Confirmed User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 3,223	Well that's good. Looking forward to that. __________________ BE A PARTNER

02-13-2009, 06:50 AM	#9
Kimo ... Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Maryland ICQ:87038677 Posts: 11,542	perfect timing __________________ ...

02-12-2009, 08:26 PM	#2
Jon Clark - BANNED FOR LIFE North Coast Pimp Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: 304-534-757 Posts: 9,395	Interesting...

02-12-2009, 08:30 PM	#3
Mr. E Confirmed User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 453	Now pissed off PC users will have a live person to yell at when Windows crashes their computer and all the other joys of owning a PC

02-12-2009, 08:39 PM	#4
Bro Media - BANNED FOR LIFE MOBILE PORN: IMOBILEPORN Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Tinseltown NL Posts: 16,502	Not a bad move, just as long as they don't try to snipe at Apple's designs.

02-12-2009, 11:26 PM	#6
doridori So Fucking Banned Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Canadia Posts: 2,222	good good. MSFT has enough cash to screw up a few times and still be solvent. only a matter of time now until they win at conquering the worlds.

02-13-2009, 03:14 AM	#8
JD Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 22,651	bad bad bad

02-13-2009, 07:04 AM	#10
gideongallery Confirmed User Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 7,082	this is a brilliant move especially because of the bad economic times. Vista works great if all the hardware is certified logo complient these stores can carry only logo compliant pc which will not crash, or fuck up (at least not as much as non compliant shit) as more and more people associate good pc with the microsoft stores, they will take business away from the other chains. Of course they will show their channel partners who if they make sure that the entire pc is logo compliant they can have pc that will not crash either and therefore will not lose their customers to microsoft stores. which will shift sales away from non compliant stuff to logo compliant stuff in all their channel partners too. __________________ “When crimes occur through the mail, you don’t shut the post office down,” Steve Wozniak

02-13-2009, 08:26 AM	#11
Sosa In Tushy Land Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Nebraska Posts: 40,149	Def not a place I would want to be working at.

02-13-2009, 09:07 AM	#12
tranza ICQ: 197-556-237 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: BRASIL !!! Posts: 57,559	That looks a nice idea... __________________ I'm just a newbie.

02-13-2009, 11:42 AM	#13
UFGators2007 Confirmed User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 1,739	Great idea...wrong time to implement it. __________________ "I use the Google to pull up maps."

02-13-2009, 01:00 PM	#14
Reak AGV Confirmed User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Unknown Posts: 4,283	It's a horrible idea, I think __________________ Need Mainstream Content and SEO? SEO * Website Copy * Blogs Blogging - PR Work - Forum Marketing - Social Marketing - Link building - Articles 100% Guaranteed Content!