14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is opening its first-ever flagship store in New York City on Fifth Avenue, trying to offer visitors a premium location not only to experience its latest devices and software but also to get in touch with trained personnel that can provide them with an in-depth look at the company's new approach.
The store, which is located at 677 Fifth Avenue, is the biggest of all 110 in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, and is the only one that takes up two full stories. It measures 22,269 square feet (2,068 square meters) and groups pretty much everything of the company's ecosystem, including devices, services, and software. It is the only location where you can find the Surface Hub on display.
“One of our goals, since we started the stores in 2009, was to have a real marquee location where we could bring an expanded retail presence,” said Kelly Soligon, general manager, Worldwide Marketing, Microsoft Retail and Online Stores.
Staff speaking 19 languages
Since New York is one of the most popular attractions for tourists, Microsoft tried to make sure that everyone can talk to store staff, so employees speak a total of 19 languages, including Spanish, Hindi, Mandarin, Arabic and Russian. This means that, no matter where you live, you can always find someone speaking your native language in the store.
“Frequently, we’re asked by customers, ‘When are you coming to my city?’ and New York has been one of the top requests. Waiting for that perfect real estate location, which we were able to secure last year, and building out the right footprint, is super exciting for us,” Soligon continues.
And since this is one of the biggest events of the year for Microsoft, the company is also donating $3 million in software and technology to 14 organizations in New York. What's more, to celebrate the opening of the store, the company has announced a concert with rapper Pitbull at Rockefeller Center.
