Microsoft Store Opens in Mall of america

The Microsoft Retail Store opened to the public in Mall of America.   It was the sixth store that has opened in the USA providing a direct to customer retail experience of the Microsoft Brand.  The first customers in the store where guaranteed spots to watch Kelly Clarkson, who performed at the mall that day.    The store open was packed from the start with a constant flow of both the techie enthusiast crowd to the curious shopper.

 

The 8600 sq./ft. store hosts a wide array of products, services, and attractions.    Products include Laptops, Cell Phones, Software, XBOX, Games, and a wide array of accessories.    Of particular interest on opening day was the XBOX Kinect stations for customers to play the natural interface enhancements to the XBOX platform sure to be a holiday favorite for kids.    Microsoft will also be launching its Windows Phone 7 cell phones this week and will create another reason for a repeat visit to the store.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The store placement in the Mall of America is directly across the isle from the Mac Store, though it is about twice the size.   The design is a similar clean looking presentation of products.  A visual difference is the ribbon screen that wraps around a large portion of the store.  This ribbon display is constantly active with advertising and videos.   There is also a gathering area and large screen near the back of the store for hosting product demos and classes.   While I was there I watched an overview of the new Windows Phone 7 experience.   Both MS and Mac stores where packed with people so certainly the increased foot traffic benefited both stores.

It will be interesting to see if these stores start to build the company to consumer relationship that Mac has been so successful in creating.   It will come down to not only innovative and desirable products, but also the personalized service, training, and technical support that Mac users have enjoyed for years.  Let’s see if the store employees are empowered to the degree the Mac employees are to “make things right.”

www.tomorrowfromtoday.com