Microsoft to open four speciality stores in mid-west

Microsoft is expanding in retail by opening four speciality stores in the United States. Microsoft made the announcement Wednesday. The company said it would open small makeshift shops within showrooms during May and June. Most of the stores will be centred in the mid-west. The company has already opened five such stores in April.

This increase will result in 75 Microsoft stores dotting the North American continent. Such retail stores are virtually non-existent outside the U.S. and Canada. There are rumours suggesting the company is planning to open more stores overseas. Nothing has materialised so far.

Initial plan was to open these speciality shops only during the holidays. After sensing success, the company has modified its initial plan. These small shops are not full featured centres of Microsoft, but they are a small attempt by Microsoft to close the retail presence gap that exists between the company and Apple.

Sources are claiming Microsoft is also looking forward to more contracts with third-party retailers. These third-party retailers will treat Microsoft products the way they do Apple products in Best Buy. It remains to be seen if this move encourages the dismal sales of the company’s latest operating system Windows 8 and its beleaguered tablet Surface.

The four planned stores will come up in: Arlington, Novi, Roseville and Seattle.