ED, I think we should change your name into Hermes, the messenger,
sitting on Mount Olympus and surveying the computer empire and
sending the messages to us lesser gods.
Marta
On Oct 23, 2009, at 08:50 AM, Ed Wiser wrote:
ifoAppleStore
October 22, 2009 8:01 PM
by Gary Allen
Few Surprises at Microsoft Retail Store Opening
Today Microsoft opened the first store in a renewed retail endeavor
at the Scottsdale (Ariz.) Fashion Square shopping mall, with a
large crowd drawn by tickets to a free Ashlby Tisdale music
concert, free Zune HDs to the first five in line, $25 gift
certificates in a gift bag, and highlighted by the company’s gift
of $1.1 million to local charities. Microsoft COO Kevin Turner and
other company executives in suits cut the red ribbon on the ground-
floor, 60-foot wide store, and a curtain dropped to reveal a white
interior, wood floor, wood display tables and front-to-back video
screens on both sidewalls. Store employees wearing T-shirts in
official Microsoft colors enthusiastically greeted the first
visitors with hand-clapping and yelling.
The store’s interior design held no surprises—the storefront is all-
glass, the lighting is bright, laptops from various companies are
displayed on tables and on display counters along the walls, and a
service area is at the rear of the store. There are two Microsoft
Surface technology tables, and a small display of cellular phones.
An Xbox 360 area at the back of the store sports a large flat-
screen display and controllers so visitors can try out video games.
Near the rear of the store is the “Answers” suite that provides
technical service for customers.
The interior space is interrupted by a line of large, white support
columns that runs front-to-back on the left side of the store.
Centered at the front of the store, over the door, is the new
square logo for Microsoft’s stores.
The blond wood floor matched the wood of the display tables. The
table tops are black, non-wood material. Promotional materials are
displayed in curvy white acrylics that have black bases.
Local reporters said the line was a mixed collection of Ashley
Tisdale fans hoping to snag one of the 1,000 free tickets to her 5
p.m. concert or 100 opportunities to get her autograph, along with
persons interested in the retail design. One man in line he came to
give Microsoft “one last shot” at improving its products and
operations. The first five persons in line appeared on Wednesday
afternoon, and recevied free Zune HDs from Microsoft for their
early arrival.
Those entering the store were given gift bags with a $25 gift
certificate, some mints and other gimcracks.
The store is managed by former Houston Galleria Apple store
employee Cheryl Hibbard, hired just last July. Earlier, she told
the MicroSpotting Web site that hiring full-time employees for this
first store was one of the “greatest gifts” that Microsoft could
make to the surrounding community, which has been “impacted
heavily” by the economic downturn. The store employs from 80 to 100
persons, Microsoft has said.
Just before the 9:30 a.m. opening, Turner told the waiting line
crowd that many persons had said to him, “OK, Microsoft. You’re
going to do retail stores. What’s up with that?” Turner answered,
“You know what? Our customers—you—have asked for retail stores, and
that’s why were doing retail stores. We’re going to offer that
customer choice that you want, and that you deserve.”
He said the stores would offer a way to show customers how to
personalize their software and hardware—”to make it your own.” The
stores will also offer “great value,” Turner said, adding that
customers have asked for more value, “and we’re going to show that
and share that with you today.”
Lastly, Turner told the crowd, “We’re going to give you great
service.” He said the difference in service will be “the quality of
the people that we have on our Microsoft retail team right here in
Scottsdale.”
Turner thanked a long list of persons in general who helped bring
the store’s to fruition, and David Porter by name, the initiative’s
“first employee” and now vice-president of Microsoft’s stores.
Porter stood to the side of the opening ceremonies and never spoke
to the crowd.
Turner concluded, “This store is a continuing committment by
Microsoft to get closer and closer connected to our customers. And
that’s what we’re all about. It’s really listening and hearing what
our customers say, and taking that feedback.”
Turner then told the crowd that last year Microsoft has a
philanthropic history, giving away $498 million in Microsoft
products last year worldwide. He held up a large check made out to
the Valley of the Sun YMCA for $1,050,000. However, in the “Memo”
field of the check it noted, “$1 million in software and $50,000
cash.” He also presented a large check to Goodwill of Central
Arizona for $25,000 in cash.
Phoenix mayor Jim Lane appeared, telling the crowd it was, “a great
day for Scottsdale,” saying the store would match up “high tech
with high fashion.”
After the opening, Turner told a reporter that it was “a magical
day for Microsoft,” and that the stores stores would stand out from
Apple’s stores by developing deeper customer connections. “We’re
not looking for an encounter, we’re looking for a deep-seeded
relationship so we can truly connect with their needs and help
illuminate the magic of software and the value of the technology,”
Turner said.
However, taxi driver James Smith, 31, was not impressed. He told a
Reuters reporter, “They’re doing exactly what Apple did five years
ago—the concept’s a rip off.” Smith added, “Microsoft might have
come up with a better idea than taking Apple’s straight out.”
In a press release, Microsoft listed all the freebies associated
with the opening:
First 1,000 people to visit the store will get 2 tickets (each) to
the Ashley Tisdale concert
First 100 people to visit the store get an Ashley Tisdale autograph
after the concert
First 1,000 people to visit the store will receive a free Grand
Opening Day gift bag.
First 350 people to purchase a PC will get a free copy of Office
Home & Student.
First 1,000 people to purchase a PC will get a free HP D1660 printer.
Anyone who purchases a PC between 10/22/09 and 12/31/2009 will
receive 50% off their purchase of Windows 7 software.
Microsoft has posted a collection of grand opening videos, and
Gizmodo has posted a story on the opening. Also watch this narrated
video about the store’s interior.
Watch a video of the ribbon-cutting ceremony with Hibbard and Turner.
architecture competitors
Sent from my iPhone
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