14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has added a new online shop to its roster of stores, expanding its presence worldwide. Customers in Australia will now be able to buy the entire lineup of software products from Microsoft, including releases of the company’s main cash cows, Office and Windows, online and download them directly to their machines rather than acquire the solutions from third-party resellers or retail outlets. At the time of this article, Windows 7 was not available for pre-order for Australian customers, as it is in other markets via the Microsoft Store, with the website announcing that the latest iteration of the Windows client will be offered come October 22nd, 2009.
The new Microsoft Store down under is operated by the same company that handles the rest of the company’s online shops in Europe, namely arvato digital services. “We went out with a global tender. Arvato replied to that tender and was successful and have been rolling out the store across a number of markets over the last 12 to 18 months,” noted Microsoft Australia Windows consumer product marketing manager, Karl Miklis, according to ARN.
In addition to its forays into the world of online commerce in North America, Microsoft has also launched numerous web shops in markets in the European Union. Customers in France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain and the UK are able to buy Microsoft software directly from the company, also via shops run by arvato.
"Most consumers will always want to visit bricks and mortar retail outlets for the benefit of in-person advice and services, and that will continue to be our primary sales channel," Miklis stated to ITWire. “Additionally, there is a subset of consumers who have indicated they would like the choice to purchase software via downloads. Microsoft Store will offer an easy environment where Australians can download and buy Microsoft software online.”