By Miiko Mentz (@miikomentz)
Microsoft Corp. has just opened its first retail store in the Scottsdale Fashion Square mall in Scottsdale, AZ and Bubblicious had a chance to visit the store, speak with customers and get a tour from Michael Forrest, senior director of customer experience at Microsoft. Forrest left Apple, Inc. earlier this year to join Microsoft and help them launch their first two retail stores and likely others next year.
Most of the talk, at least in tech circles, about the new Microsoft store was focused on how the store design is almost identical to Apple’s retail stores, minus the 120 47-inch HD screens that line the walls inside the Microsoft store. I’m sure a lot of it has to do with Microsoft bringing on Apple’s former real estate chief George Blankenship as a consultant, and wooing former Apple employees such as Forrest to jump ship and join Microsoft.
When asked how do you not plagiarize yourself in terms of store concept design and developing the Microsoft customer experience for the retail stores, Forrest didn’t exactly answer the question and instead shared how his 22 years of retail experience extends far beyond Apple and that it’s about creating direct connections with customers. He said that Apple and Microsoft are two very different companies. Forrest wrapped up that question with “I had a great time at Apple, and feel very, very fortunate and feel honored to be a part of this project.”
What will be interesting to see is if Apple decides to up the ante and make significant changes to its stores, especially the ones that will be located in the same mall with Microsoft stores. According to the Orange County Register, the Apple Store in The Shops in Mission Viejo, where Microsoft’s second store opens later this week, closed on September 13 for renovations. Apple as not set a date for that store’s re-opening.
Be There, Be Excited, Be Entertained, Be Early
That was the theme and words in an advertisement printed in Sunday’s October 18 issue of The Arizona Republic, Phoenix’s main regional newspaper. And people did exactly that for Thursday’s grand opening. They came out by the thousands with hundreds arriving early; some camped out overnight and waited 12 hours before doors opened. The first 1,000 people received a gift bag and tickets to an evening performance by Ashley Tisdale. The store opening coincided with the launch of Windows 7, which has been well received by customers and industry insiders. For the software giant, it’s a welcome change after the struggles it had with its previous operating system Windows Vista.
Microsoft is set to open its second store this Thursday, October 29 at 10:00 a.m. in Orange County at The Shops in Mission Viejo. Canadian singer Justin Bieber will perform. Tickets for the 5:00 p.m. performance will be given out at 10:00 a.m. Thursday.
Check out highlights of our interview with Forrest and the store tour he gave Bubblicious.
Interview Highlights:
Store Tour:
Related post:
Windows 7 Arrives with a Bang