Microsoft set to open retail stores in UK
By Nicole Kobie
Posted on 25 Jun 2012 at 16:43
Microsoft is planning to open stores in the UK, according to reports.
There are already 19 Microsoft Stores in the US and another seven set to open soon.
The first UK Microsoft Store will open in March 2013, according to a report from The Verge. The exact location of the store is yet to be decided, the report says, but is likely to be in central London with other locations to follow.
Microsoft said: “We have no new store locations to announce at this time.”
The company opened its first store in Arizona in 2009, and last year said it intends to extend to 75 locations within the next few years. The stores sell software and hardware such as PCs, the Xbox console and Windows Phone handsets, as well as offering support and training sessions.
Microsoft Stores will be the only bricks-and-mortar shops to initially stock Microsoft's Surface tablets, unveiled last week.
This is good news! Should mean access to Signature machines and, of course, Surface tablets. Pity it won't be till after the launch of Surface although I doubt we're getting it at the same time as the States (just a hunch).
Thought I read somewhere that Carphone Warehouse would be stocking Surface in the UK? Might be wishful thinking. Better start looking in to getting the thing imported.
By onegin101 on 26 Jun 2012 
This is great news. Pitty it's next year. But it's probably the same time as Surface Pro is launched.
If not it's good news. Signature machines are the way forward.
By henry20012 on 26 Jun 2012
It just occured to me...
This article isn't titled "Vile M$ to Entice Small Children in to New London Lair"
Followed by "Sinister M$ are escalating their loathsome plan to employ an army of goblins and base them in 'stores' around the country. Senior sources from within their headquarters in Transylvania were unavailable for comment, probably because they were busy kidnapping your dog. You have been warned"
PC Pro are off the pace today.
(kidding!)
By onegin101 on 26 Jun 2012
@onegin 101
Very droll. :-D
Otherwise excellent news. In my opinion, anyway.
Will the "evil MS empire" be following the sometimes US model, and opening up next door to the Apple Stores...
By nickallison on 27 Jun 2012
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