RetailExperienceCenter
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Microsoft gets serious about retail stores with exec hire
Remember those pretend Microsoft stores from last month? Looks like the crew at Redmond are taking that idea one step closer to reality. The company's announced that former DreamWorks SKG exec, and more interestingly Wal-Mart veteran, David Porter has joined up as corporate vice president of retail stores to "create a better PC and Microsoft retail purchase experience" and -- here's the key -- develop Microsoft-branded stores. Porter's first order of business will be defining a time frame, locations and specifics for the retail rollout. We can't wait to see how the Simpsons mock this one.
Microsoft builds pretend retail store, wants to play house later
Microsoft's new Retail Experience Center is a new showcase of Microsoft's products and solutions for retailers -- including back-end stuff and point of sale. It's all pretty boring and corporate, but it could also be construed as a look at what a Microsoft take on an "Apple Store-style" experience might be. Result? It kinda looks like Circuit City plus a few Surface displays, Microsoft Tags and magical screen-equipped shopping carts (pictured above). Oh, and before you gather up your Zune pals for a road trip: the Experience Center is real, but the customers are fake -- the store isn't open to the public. Video is after the break.[Via istartedsomething]%Gallery-42063%
