14 DAY TRIAL // As part of Microsoft’s efforts to expand the retail network across the United States, the company will soon open a new flagship store in New York that will be only a few blocks away from Apple’s famous cube.
The new Microsoft store will be located on 677 Fifth Avenue and will provide access to all company products, including Windows Phones, Surface tablets, and other Windows products manufactured by parents, but running its own software.
According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, the store has been in the making for the past five years, but the company is only now ready to open its doors.
The company hasn’t yet released an official announcement on the new store, but a representative has told the aforementioned source that this location is the perfect choice for what could become the most advanced experience visitors can get in a Microsoft store.
Microsoft: We were waiting for the right location
Microsoft hasn’t said anything about the famous Apple cube store that’s only a few blocks away from its new location, but the company official has explained that Redmond has been looking for such a location from the very beginning, especially because this is a high-end retail destination for both tourists and locals.
"As our first flagship store, it will serve as the centerpiece of our Microsoft Stores experience," David Porter, corporate vice president for Microsoft retail stores, is quoted as saying. "This is a goal we've had since day one—we were only waiting for the right location. And now we have it."
Rumors about the opening of this new store emerged last month, but the company has only now confirmed it, revealing that it’s now giving it the final touches before the grand inauguration.
Windows at the core of everything
At this point, Microsoft has 104 physical stores across the United States and Canada and also operates 600 stores within Best Buy. For the sake of comparison, Apple has 254 stores in the United States, but also has several other locations in Europe.
As is also the case of any other Microsoft stores, Windows will be at the core of everything, but consumers can see and try products such as tablets, Surface, smartphones, laptops, PCs, Xbox consoles, and other accessories currently sold or developed by Microsoft.
An answer desk for those who want technical details on a specific product will also be available and so will be what the company calls experiential space to help customers discover the benefits of its products.