75 new Microsoft stores opening across the US

Microsoft announced plans to accelerate its retail store expansion plans in the USA by opening 75 additional stores. The attached graphic shows the planned locations.

In the announcement, the MS rep said "It's helping us to transition from thinking about our customers to thinking like our customers. And giving us that direct customer feedback is what we're learning and getting from our stores. We're going to open up 75 more stores over the next two to three years and continue to bring our stores outside the US as well."

Have you ever been to a MS store? I passed by one in a mall in Phoenix last year and I have to say it was very sad! Staff were so desperately trying to look casual and there was no one touching or playing with any of the equipment...unlike pretty much any Mac store where they are packed and customers are engaged. Perhaps they have actually learned from those stores, only time and a visit to one of the new shops will tell :D