On October 22nd, the day that Microsoft will launch Windows 7, it will also open its first retail store, taking a page from Apple’s retail strategy. The first Microsoft Store will open in the Scottsdale Fashion Square in Scottsdale, Arizona at 10AM. The first 1000 visitors will get gift bags and tickets to an Ashley Tisdale concert later that day. Anyone purchasing a PC on opening day will also get a free HP-D 1660 printer and a copy of Office 2007 Home & Student Edition.
Walk into the Microsoft Store and you’ll find lots of choices. Right away, you’ll see that it’s not all about hard drives and gigabytes.
It will be interesting to see how much attention Windows Mobile gets at the Microsoft stores.
Whether Microsoft can replicate Apple’s success with its own Apple Stores remains to be seen.