IndiaRetailBiz

After Apple, it’s now the turn of global software behemoth Microsoft (2008 Sales: $60 billion) to set up a chain of Microsoft retail stores.

David Porter, who has worked for over 25 years with the world’s largest retailer Walmart in the areas of infotech and merchandising, has been entrusted with the task of preparing the roadmap for Microsoft’s foray into retail. Apart from deciding on locations, Porter will also decide on designs of the stores, reports AFP.

“There are tremendous opportunities ahead for Microsoft to create a world-class shopping experience for our customers… I am excited about helping consumers make more informed decisions about their PC and software purchases, and we’ll share (what we learn) from our stores with our existing retail and OEM partners,” said Porter.

“We’re working hard to transform the PC and Microsoft buying experience at retail,” said Kevin Turner, Microsoft’s Chief Operating Officer.

Microsoft, known for creating ”Windows” operating system (which powers 88.26 per cent of client computers worldwide), Internet Explorer (67.55 per cent market share) and “Office” software suites (400 million copies/ 95 per cent market share), among others, rules the world of software. In the past few years, Google and other open source software service providers are making inroads by bringing about a paradigm shift by introducing web-based (cloud) computing as opposed to desktop computing in which Microsoft products excell.

Microsoft, like Apple, is also trying to make a difference by launching multimedia hardware, multi-media devices like Xbox (playstation) and Zune (portable media player).

Founded by legendary Bill Gates and his colleague Paul Allen in 1975, the $160 billion (current Market Cap) Microsoft which employs over 91,000 persons is currently managed by Steve Ballmer (CEO).