14 DAY TRIAL // The First Microsoft Store opened in Atlanta on May 27, 2011 has attracted quite a crowd.
The Redmond company has certainly come a long way since 2009, when it opened its first first-ever retail store.
That outlet welcomed customers in Scottsdale, Arizona on October 22nd, 2009, a date which coincides with the global availability deadline of Windows 7.
The latest Microsoft Store was inaugurated in Lenox Square Mall, Atlanta. “The grand opening included a ribbon cutting ceremony with Microsoft COO (Chief Operating Officer) Kevin Turner, local elected officials, charity representatives and customer giveaways,” the software giant stated.
In mid-2010, after a few stores opened, the software giant touted its commitment to providing customers with the opportunity to try out its retail experience.
Microsoft Chief Executive Officer, Steve Ballmer and COO Kevin Turner were promising at the time that dozens more Microsoft Stores would be introduced across the United States.
The latest venue in Lenox Square Mall, Atlanta, marks the opening of the ninth Microsoft Store, which follows the inauguration of the Microsoft Store at South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, California in March 2011.
“The Microsoft Stores are now open for business in Scottsdale, Ariz., Mission Viejo, Calif., Lone Tree, Colo., San Diego, Calif., Oak Brook, Ill., Bloomington, Minn., Bellevue, Wash., and Costa Mesa, Calif.
“From computers and software to games, music and phones, customers will have access to it all at the Microsoft Store. The store also offers services such as personal training, technical support, ongoing performance tuneups and more.”
When it first announced its intention to start opening Microsoft Stores, the Redmond company did so by stressing that the outlets were not intended as competitors to its extensive network of partners, but rather as an experiment in consumer retail experiences.
This being said, the software giant made it somewhat a tradition to place new Microsoft Stores in the vicinity of Apple stores, and it’s easy to see that the company is actively involved in tackling its rival from Cupertino.
