Last-Minute Rescue Plan: Microsoft to Sell Surface in More Stores

Microsoft has just announced that it decided to make the Surface with Windows RT available at some new retailers starting with mid-December, in a new attempt to help increase sales of the device.

In addition, the company said that it would convert the Microsoft holiday stores into permanent retail outlets, as the Redmond-based technology giant is willing to make its products available to a wider consumer market.

Retail stores in the United States and Australia will start selling the Surface with Windows RT in just a few days, Microsoft said, while a few other countries will be added to this list in the upcoming months, most likely in Europe where the device is already enjoying a great success.

“The public reaction to Surface has been exciting to see. We’ve increased production and are expanding the ways in which customers can interact with, experience and purchase Surface,” said Panos Panay, general manager, Microsoft Surface.

While the company is yet to disclose some official sales statistics for the Surface RT, the device is now available in retail stores in the United States and Canada, but also online in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany and the United Kingdom.

“Our plan has been to expand the retail presence for Surface after the first of the year. Based on interest from retailers, we are giving them the option to carry Surface with Windows RT even earlier,” said Steve Schueler, corporate vice president, Microsoft Retail Sales and Marketing.

The new stores will get the same three versions of the Surface, as it follows: a 32 GB model without a black Touch Cover, and two other packages with 32 GB and 64 GB, respectively, plus a keyboard. The cheapest model comes with a price tag of $499 (€380), but it doesn’t include the aforementioned Touch Cover, sold separately for $119 (€92).