Microsoft Store Experience

I recently discovered the Microsoft Store on a trip to Chicago.  I wanted to bring you some information on this retail activity for Microsoft.  Read on for more details!

Microsoft Has Stores?  Really?

We live out in the middle of the corn and soy bean farms in Peoria, IL.  My wife loves shopping in Chicago, so we make the 2.5 hour drive up to the Chicago suburban malls a few times per year.  Back between Boxing Day and New Years, my wife wanted to shop at Oak Brook Center in Oak Brook, IL for purses.  Needless to say, I wanted to shop for anything but purses!  I was surprised to see a Microsoft Store listed on the store directory and decided that looking at PC’s would be much more interesting than purses, so off I went!

Locations

Here is the list of all current locations.  Right now, Microsoft has stores in Bellevue, WA; Scottsdale, AZ; Costa Mesa, CA; Mission Viejo, CA; San Diego, CA; Lone Tree, CO; Bloomington, MN; and of course Oak Brook, IL.  Microsoft announced that a new store will also be opening soon in Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta.

What’s On Offer?

Here’s what Microsoft promises:

• Exceptional Service

  “We offer services that make technology ownership empowering & hassle-free.”
  Eric Sales Associate
  San Diego, CA

• Great Products

  Come in and check out our selection of products, including: PCs, SOFTWARE, XBOX 360, WINDOWS PHONE, & ZUNE

• A Unique Experience

  Touch it, play with it, and personalize it in an environment that is fun, friendly, and innovative.

• Strong Community

  We look to bring the community together in the support of teaching the latest in technology.

In particular, they have a great showcase for Windows PC’s, Windows Phone 7 phones, and XBOX devices.  All major vendors have product on display, including HP, Dell, ASUS, Sony, Samsung and HTC.  Microsoft works with the vendors to determine what products to sell, choosing the specifications and software that gets loaded.  They then train their employees to be able to help customers make the best choice from the items on the floor.  If it runs on Windows 7, Windows Phone 7 or is XBOX-related, it’s on the floor.  They even had Zune HD devices for sale.