Microsoft is fighting to get into the retail market with its own stores to battle rival Apple. Microsoft is now set to open its first retail location in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Microsoft is hoping to open the store on October 22, the day Windows 7 launches or within a few days of that date if all go well. When Microsoft first announced it would be opening retail stores earlier this year, it said that the stores would be next door to Apple retail locations.

So far, that isn’t as accurate as Microsoft may have hoped. The Arizona location is not in the same area as an Apple store. Microsoft also plans to launch a store in Mission Viejo, California and it is in the same mall as an Apple store at least.

http://www.dailytech.com/Microsoft+H...ticle16527.htm

In a time where Digital Distribution is the clear way forward... Microsoft goes retro on us and ones brick & mortar stores...

The store isn't for distribution, it's for customers to come in with questions and get to play with demo systems, or get help. I suspect sales are a secondary focus at best.