Microsoft retail stores will enable them to get a much wider selection of 360 games out there, so much so in fact if they match other retail shops (I'm assuming they will) people will go straight to Microsoft to buy their games seen as this is where they will get the best selection, good point Ronster ;) Oh not forgetting PC games.

With that they can also set up gaming pods, to not only get some excitment going on (draw in bigger crowds) but to show off some of their latest software. And the Tvs they use?

probably Samsung, everybody knows Samsung + Xbox 360 go together.

Microsoft probably will sell computers and notebooks, they need to show off their software.

The store should be flooded with Microsoft Surface, they could also add in something where you can check stock on the product (I'm sure Surface is capable of this) and we already know Surface can compare products. So the Blue mini 8G Zune or the sexy 80g Maroon Zune?

A Netflix booth can be set up to get more subscribers. (BT have something similiar in the UK coming soon)

Going with the Samsung theme, I'm sure Microsoft will want to show off their Windows mobile software (whatever that is, I'm not in the know about this) so maybe a small selection of certain brand phones that use full potential of Microsofts mobile software.

Not forgetting Microsoft can sell all of their other products, Webcams, Mice, Keyboards ect. This doesn't need to be limited to Microsoft only products.

For those who think Microsoft would never allow any other brand in their shop, well ... Viva Pinata on the DS? that in itself is pretty uneventful yes, but Microsoft allowed it because they have no competition with the DS. Samsung TVs, Computers and Mobiles only compliment certain Microsoft products.

I cannot wait to visit my nearest Microsoft store! If they bring them here.

I must give MS credit for trying something new but success isn't a given.

Every MS product has multiple outlets.

So do Sony products. I am always amaze by how empty thier stores (in my part of the world) are and I can usually get the Sony product cheaper somewhere else.

I not sure if the Sony stores sells games.

Stories circulating in the european press regarding government security services having access to gather data from any online PC (some say with MS support/approval) can hurt them, whatever the reality of this is.


I didn't notice any dates given so this might as well happen in 2030.

This is not an effort to make money off of the stores. This is a marketing effort. Do you think that the Sony, Apple, Nike store on Michigan Avenue (Perhaps the most expensive place in Chicago to have a store) are there to make money. No they exist for marketing purposes.

These stores will certainly be rather rare and the purpose will be to showcase MS products configured to show all capabilities. They will certainly showcase NetFlix integration with Xbox. They will certainly showcase the Xbox as a MediaCenter extender. They will certainly showcase Surface. They will showcase Zune integration with Xbox, etc. etc. etc.

The whole point is for people to say wow MS has some cool stuff. Thats what the apple store is all about.

There will definitely be one in the mall in my city right next to the Apple store. I'm willing to bet on this if it happens.

microsoft expanding their business, scary thing, the store looks cool

I would give Microsoft mad respect if they used it as a service center also. Allow people to bring in consoles for repair. It would also help them save on shipping if they do this.

Edit:

They could even allow for trade-in of used games. This way Microsoft will get money back, instead of EB/GS.

This seems to be a bit of hubris folly to me.

How many retailers will decide -- we won't carry or we won't display as well MS products because of this.

What does Gamestop think? I wonder.

Mike from Morgantown

In the case of Nintendo in the US, is not just the NYC store.

In the case of Sony, I don't even know of any.

One or a few in big metro areas is cool and won't cause much damage to relationships with other vendors. Too many though and you are viewed as a competitor.

Mike from Morgantown

The Sony Style store is actually very close to the Nintendo World Store in Rockafella Plaza.

something like this

"hahahahahhahaa these stupid bastards are making us rich by buying our overpirced used games that we pay almost nothing to get!! hahahahahahah"

as you can see, they dont give a shit about MS's store.