Leaked purported Microsoft retail plans show a talent for imitation

Sat, 07/25/2009 - 12:49am — Jonny Evans

Fresh from announcing its worst financial results yet, Microsoft’s attempt to regain relevance continues, and now more light’s been shed on its plan to launch a chain of “me too” stores to compete with Apple’s highly successful retail stores.

Gizmodo has published a PowerPoint presentation said to emanate from design and brand consultancy, Lippicott. These seem to show just how closely Microsoft’s planned stores will emulate Apple’s own. You’ll have an “Answer Bar” - just like Apple's 'Genius Bar' - for troubleshooting your Windows machine (oh just imagine how busy they’ll be there - will anyone want to work in that position?).

You’ll have those Microsoft Surface table top computers dotted around in-store, a digital media wall with big video screens, and dedicated product areas for Windows 7, Media Centre, netbooks and more. You can even pay to host a party in one of these stores....

Gizmodo warns these slides could be fake, but given Microsoft’s talent for imitation, they could well reflect the vision for the beleaguered company’s retail outlet plan.

Frank Shaw of Waggener Edstrom commented on Gizmodo’s story on behalf of Microsoft, saying that, “No final decisions have been made,” but some early design prototypes are indeed in circulation, with the first stores set to open in autumn.

Bear in mind the background: Microsoft’s sales fell another 17 per cent in the just gone quarter as profits slid an astonishing 29 per cent. Sales fell to $13.1 billion, a billion short of analyst expectations and the second quarter of decline. Will a chain of highly expensive retail shops truly be enough for Microsoft to regain relevancy?

As noted by MacDailyNews, recall a 2004 BusinessWeek interview with Apple CEO Steve Jobs, who points out: “Apple had a monopoly on the graphical user interface for almost ten years. That's a long time. And how are monopolies lost? Think about it. Some very good product people invent some very good products, and the company achieves a monopoly. But after that, the product people aren't the ones that drive the company forward anymore. It's the marketing guys or the ones who expand the business into Latin America or whatever. Because what's the point of focusing on making the product even better when the only company you can take business from is yourself?

"So a different group of people start to move up. And who usually ends up running the show? The sales guy... Then one day, the monopoly expires for whatever reason. But by then the best product people have left, or they're no longer listened to. And so the company goes through this tumultuous time, and it either survives or it doesn't.”

Jobs then points out that the sales guy now runs Microsoft, Steve Ballmer.

Except Microsoft doesn’t seem to be selling like it used to, judging from its financial results. Meanwhile, Apple is preparing to upgrade its iPod range with huge online retailer Amazon now selling existing models of the media player at up to 13 per cent off normal price.

( Filed Under:

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Comments

MS is making a big

Sat, 07/25/2009 - 1:48am — 9to5Mac Noob (not verified)

MS is making a big mistake.

Only idiots need stores like that.

it looks like they use google

Sat, 07/25/2009 - 1:58am — 9to5Mac Noob (not verified)

it looks like they use google sketchup to make their presentation drawings :-)

"Except Microsoft doesn’t

Sat, 07/25/2009 - 2:00am — 9to5Mac Noob (not verified)

"Except Microsoft doesn’t seem to be selling like it used to, judging from its financial results."

Thanks for the analysis. Good job.

"Only idiots need stores like

Sat, 07/25/2009 - 7:27am — 9to5Mac Noob (not verified)

"Only idiots need stores like that."

Well, Apple's idiotic stores sure paid off.

Interesting that in the BW article, Jobs took a lot of credit for the operating efficiency when people mostly credited Tim Cook. Very interesting.

But I really like the fact that Apple tries to own every step in order to do it really well - from logistics to sales to design. Their innovations in logistics and store design have not been as highly recognized as they should be.

What will they sell

Sat, 07/25/2009 - 7:50am — 9to5Mac Noob (not verified)

I am confused as to what people will actually be buying in a MS store? Zunes? Video Games? I can't imagine all that many people will be running into the store multiple times to buy a boxed copy of windows 7?

The picture shows what people will buy there

Sat, 07/25/2009 - 9:50am — chuckbo (not verified)

It's in the picture there at the bottom -- they're going to sell the new Microsoft line of jackets and other clothing.

Imitatioin can't be obtained...

Sat, 07/25/2009 - 2:24pm — 9to5Mac Noob (not verified)

MS is forgetting the great customer experiences provided through Apple stores that the simply cannot replicate. Because Apple has a monopoly on all devices, peripherals, cables, batteries, etc., a customer can walk in (such as myself in one situation) with a chewed power cable for a Macbook Pro and receive a new one immediately and without question. I've had numerous other similar experiences with Apple. Due to the diversification of the companies that make their computers, the differing cables, batteries, and devices, and the tremendous amount of disparate software in these devices, only one thing can happen: bad customer experience. AMIRITE??!!

Whats next Microsoft OS 7

Sun, 07/26/2009 - 7:59pm — 9to5Mac Noob (not verified)

Come On now Microsoft! They have stooped low before by copying Apples ideas but this takes it to a whole new level!! Here is my top ten list of future problems at the Microsoft Store...
#1 Line for Microsoft "Answer Bar" is mistaken to be the start of the line for the new iPhone 4G.

#2 New store front window signage touts features of new "Microsoft OS 7" instead of Windows 7.

#3 Pop-Up Store Associates idea is replaced with Live People after strange customer by the name of "Mo Zilla Firefox" starts a customer protest and Blocks the store entrance.

#4 Microsoft Store employees are forced to steal nearby Volkswagen Dealership "Drivers Wanted" sign after Microsoft Home Automated lights of store keep turning off and on.

#5 Center for Disease Control is called in after panicked Windows Mobile Phone accidently dials 911 when frustrated user screams "the store is infected with the "Saser" virus and Norton has crashed".

#6 Store ejects customers and suddenly closes every Tuesday at 8AM for Updates.

#7 "Laptop Hunters" accidently mistake copy cat Microsoft Store as Apple Store and buy a Macbook Air instead overpriced Dell Adamo.

#8 Microsoft takes down its new "Worm" Logo over door after "The Enemy of the Apple, Meet Worm" Advertising campaign is repeatedly recognized by McAfee on the store cash registers as a fatal system virus.

#9 Seniors riot on Wednesday after finding out "Bing Night" was not a typo for "Bingo Night"

#10 Microsoft decides to outsmart BestBuy by offering 22 models of "Exculsive" LCD Panel Surface PC's that include a "Large Remote Pad with 120 Easy-Use buttons" and new "BoobTube" streaming video service for $129.99 per month. Touts product as "Revolutionary PC that allows you to now see movie video images in your Living room!"

What next Microsoft OS 7

Sun, 07/26/2009 - 8:00pm — 9to5Mac Noob (not verified)

#2 New store front window signage touts features of new "Microsoft OS 7" instead of Windows 7.

#3 Pop-Up Store Associates idea is replaced with Live People after strange customer by the name of "Mo Zilla Firefox" starts a customer protest and Blocks the store entrance.

#4 Microsoft Store employees are forced to steal nearby Volkswagen Dealership "Drivers Wanted" sign after Microsoft Home Automated lights of store keep turning off and on.

#5 Center for Disease Control is called in after panicked Windows Mobile Phone accidently dials 911 when frustrated user screams "the store is infected with the "Saser" virus and Norton has crashed".

#6 Store ejects customers and suddenly closes every Tuesday at 8AM for Updates.

#7 "Laptop Hunters" accidently mistake copy cat Microsoft Store as Apple Store and buy a Macbook Air instead overpriced Dell Adamo.

#9 Seniors riot on Wednesday after finding out "Bing Night" was not a typo for "Bingo Night"

Whats Next Microsoft OS 7

Sun, 07/26/2009 - 8:01pm — 9to5Mac Noob (not verified)

#2 New store front window signage touts features of new "Microsoft OS 7" instead of Windows 7.

#3 Pop-Up Store Associates idea is replaced with Live People after strange customer by the name of "Mo Zilla Firefox" starts a customer protest and Blocks the store entrance.

#4 Microsoft Store employees are forced to steal nearby Volkswagen Dealership "Drivers Wanted" sign after Microsoft Home Automated lights of store keep turning off and on.

#5 Center for Disease Control is called in after panicked Windows Mobile Phone accidently dials 911 when frustrated user screams "the store is infected with the "Saser" virus and Norton has crashed".

#6 Store ejects customers and suddenly closes every Tuesday at 8AM for Updates.

#7 "Laptop Hunters" accidently mistake copy cat Microsoft Store as Apple Store and buy a Macbook Air instead overpriced Dell Adamo.

#9 Seniors riot on Wednesday after finding out "Bing Night" was not a typo for "Bingo Night"

Signature: Telling stories with right storyboarding presentation together with PowerPoint presentation is like owning a printing press and printing your own currency.