No prob Jstops. Gm to you. Thought you'd likie this one too;
Microsoft To Open Retail Stores
Microsoft is getting into the retail business. The company announced today that it's hired David Porter, a 25-year Wal-Mart vet, as vice president of retail stores. He will head up Microsoft's "efforts to create a better PC and Microsoft retail purchase experience" through its own stores.
This is a risky move. Microsoft (MSFT) will be competing with its vast retail channel, which ranges from Best Buy (BBY) to Costco (COST). And last we checked, the retail industry is in the garbage. Even Apple is suffering.
If done right, Microsoft might be able to show consumers the benefits (if any) of having a Windows computer, Xbox 360, Windows Mobile phone, and Zune, all in one place. At very least, they could do a better job than Best Buy at showing off PCs. (We're not sure how well the gurus Microsoft hired last fall to do that at other big-box stores worked out.)
Conceivably, they might convince more people to buy PCs -- or at least to buy newer PCs with Windows 7.
