Microsoft entraps WallMart veteran for retail push

By siliconindia   |   Monday, 16 February 2009, 16:16 IST   |    1 Comments
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Seattle: The software bellwether Microsoft sets out to bring its products through its own stores, at a time when many retailers are weighed down by the economic crisis. The company has entrapped Wal-Mart's veteran David Porter as the Corporate Vice President of its retail stores. He was also the head of worldwide product distribution at DreamWorks Animation SKG. Microsoft has appointed Porter to improve the PC-buying experience which will include tasks like setting the timing, locations and design of Microsoft-branded retail stores. The stores will primarily sell computers installed with Microsoft software as well as other company products. The move is subjected to revive the image of its ubiquitous Windows operating system and Vista which has been criticized worldwide, which is initiated at an erroneous time when the retail sector and purveyors of electronics have been hit hard. Even Apple, whose iPods, iMacs and iPhones draw brand-conscious customers willing to spend more for design, was hit in the holiday quarter by the recession as average sales per store dropped to $7 million from $8.5 million in 2007. Prior to the retail store concept, Microsoft had started $300 million advertising campaign and also posted 144 of its own employees or 'Gurus' in electronics chain stores around the world to talk about Windows. The 'Gurus' initially seemed to be Microsoft's answer to Apple's in-store 'Genius Bar' and the new concept of retail stores is also said to be another page from Apple's book, who lauds its stores to boost its profile and draw new customers. The company had set up a concept store at its headquarters with displays of Windows computers, Xbox 360 consoles and games and other items. But the company said it's meant to help stores like Best Buy see new merchandising ideas in action, and is not a prototype for stand-alone retail stores.