Microsoft to Launch Retail Stores this Fall

Once again, Microsoft says it's going to open its own retail stores...and this time the company is planning to plunk a few down right next to Apple Stores.

During his keynote at Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference in New Orleans, Microsoft COO Kevin Turner revealed that the Redmond software giant plans to open a series of retail stores this fall—and that some of them will be located quote close to existing Apple Stores. Although Turner did not reveal any specific store locations, opening dates, or any details of what the stores would be like, the timeframe for launching the stores ties in neatly with Microsoft’s formal launch of WIndows 7 on October 22, 2009.

This isn’t the first time Microsoft has ventured into the retail arena: the company actually had a retail storefront in San Francisco’s Metreon center many years ago, but closed it in 2001. Back in February, Microsoft also announced it would be launching its own retail stores in an effort headed by former Wal-Mart executive David Porter. At the time, Microsoft described the stores as a showcase for its software and entertainment products, including the Xbox 360 game console and Zune media players, along with mainstay offerings like Windows and Microsoft Office.