Microsoft looking to open retail outlet near flagship 5th Ave. Apple Store
Apple's iconic glass cube may soon get a neighbor in longtime rival Microsoft, which is supposedly in negotiations to open a retail space on New York's Fifth Ave., just a few blocks away from the city's flagship Apple Store.
Apple's Fifth Ave. flaghship store (highlighted in red) is just a few blocks north of Microsoft's rumored outlet (pinned).
According to sources familiar with Microsoft's plans, the Redmond, Wash. company is looking to take over a two-story space previously occupied by Fendi, a short walking distance from Apple's Fifth Ave. outlet, reports the New York Daily News.
Located at 677 Fifth Ave., the 8,700-square-foot property would be Microsoft's first permanent store in Manhattan. Previously, the company opened a Times Square pop-up shop in 2012, though the installation was temporary. In 2005, rumors suggested Microsoft would open a retail space in the historic One Times Square building, which hosts the widely televised annual New Year's Eve ball drop, though plans ultimately fell through.
Apple took the wraps off its Fifth Ave. location in 2006, four years after opening its first Manhattan location in SoHo. The outlet's 32-foot glass cube entryway, said to have been designed by late cofounder Steve Jobs, never closes and has become one of the most photographed spots in the city.
Following Apple's lead, Microsoft opened its first branded retail store in 2009 at a Scottsdale, Ariz. mall. Since then, the software giant has rolled out a total of 102 stores in Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. -- many times near Apple Stores -- with another 12 opening soon.
Apple's Fifth Ave. flaghship store (highlighted in red) is just a few blocks north of Microsoft's rumored outlet (pinned).
According to sources familiar with Microsoft's plans, the Redmond, Wash. company is looking to take over a two-story space previously occupied by Fendi, a short walking distance from Apple's Fifth Ave. outlet, reports the New York Daily News.
Located at 677 Fifth Ave., the 8,700-square-foot property would be Microsoft's first permanent store in Manhattan. Previously, the company opened a Times Square pop-up shop in 2012, though the installation was temporary. In 2005, rumors suggested Microsoft would open a retail space in the historic One Times Square building, which hosts the widely televised annual New Year's Eve ball drop, though plans ultimately fell through.
Apple took the wraps off its Fifth Ave. location in 2006, four years after opening its first Manhattan location in SoHo. The outlet's 32-foot glass cube entryway, said to have been designed by late cofounder Steve Jobs, never closes and has become one of the most photographed spots in the city.
Following Apple's lead, Microsoft opened its first branded retail store in 2009 at a Scottsdale, Ariz. mall. Since then, the software giant has rolled out a total of 102 stores in Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. -- many times near Apple Stores -- with another 12 opening soon.
Comments
Made out of plexiglass, of course.
So prestiges a spot to stand so proudly empty? I’m stymied.
Never my leader.
Are Microsoft retail stores doing that well so that they'd have to open another one? The other stores are usually empty so merely adding more empty space isn't any solution. Once they get the product to pack the first stores, then they can see about opening more. This way, Microsoft is simply being inefficient with space.
I'd love to give Microsoft the benefit of a doubt, but this has to be the biggest waste of money and just a vanity project.
I haven't read one good story about MS stores being populated with people, outside of luring people in for a store opening.
How many times do you read that someone always sees the local Apple store packed and only 3 or 4 people in the MS store?
Well, MS does have deep pockets, so this is probably the biggest lost leader for them percentage-wise.
Well, on rainy days, the MS store will be a nice dry place for the overflow crowd to take refuge until there is room for them in Apple's store.
Stupid move on their part. I see the consumer going to the Apple Store, checking out the iPad, walking over to the Microsoft store to check out the Surface than going back to the Apple Store to purchase an iPad.
I hear you but Microsoft wouldn't know what the word 'leader' means. It was the Scamsung of the last century.
Copy copy copy... Steal steal steal ....I am very happy to see there presence on the mobile stage fail to even register on any graphs.
I hear Woolworth were thinking of offering to take them over, but they felt they were too down market.
MSFT, they are genius. Why work, just copy!
To be fair those articles stating there is no one in the MS stores are usually published on sites like AI, not exactly known for correctly story telling when it comes to MS. Maybe you should widen the number of sites you visit to get a more rounded view of the truth, as you first statement is incorrect.
Monkey see. Monkey do.
Ballmer retired you know.
Are Microsoft retail stores doing that well so that they'd have to open another one? The other stores are usually empty so merely adding more empty space isn't any solution. Once they get the product to pack the first stores, then they can see about opening more. This way, Microsoft is simply being inefficient with space.
Here in our Vancouver area, at the Metrotown mall in Burnaby, BC;
MS opened a store after trying a small isle stand in the middle of the mall.
But they put their fairly large store in an out of the way location downstairs, whereas Apple's very large store is on the second floor main walkway where there is much walk by traffic.
Apple's store is very busy, at times difficult to walk around in.
MS's store wasn't that busy when I looked at it the second week it was open. I haven't returned to see it again, as it is not in a location I (or others) normally walk by.
Of course Apple's store has many different user products, nicely setup on tables for users to try.
The MS store had only that Surface thing, a few phones and a few PCs showing the latest Windows antivirus update.
Why?
i hope the doors are wide open and the AC is cranked up on those hot summer days.