The Microsoft Store in Manhattan will become a Microsoft Experience Center, while most other locations will be closed.
Sarah Tew / CNET
Microsoft is closing its retail stores around the world, the company said on Friday, shifting its direct sales focus to online outlets like Microsoft.com and the stores on Xbox and Windows.
The key Microsoft Store locations, including stores in London, New York, Sydney and the company’s headquarters in Redmond, Washington, will become “Microsoft Experience Centers”.
The Windows maker says that the closure of the physical locations “will result in a pre-tax charge of approximately $ 450 million, or $ 0.05 per share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 . “
All Microsoft stores have been closed since March because of Coronavirus pandemic. The company said that store employees “will continue to serve customers from Microsoft company facilities and provide sales, training and support remotely.”
First Opening in 2009Microsoft’s retail stores were seen once as a rival to Apple Stores and offered a modern storefront for Windows and Xbox devices, as well as a way for customers to get personalized customer support for their devices. According to the Microsoft website, the company currently operates 80 physical Microsoft stores around the world.
“Our online sales have grown as our product portfolio has evolved to largely digital offerings and our talented team has been proven to successfully serve customers beyond any physical location,” said David Porter, Microsoft’s corporate vice president, in a statement.
“We are grateful to our Microsoft Store customers and look forward to continuing to serve them online and with our retail sales team at Microsoft company locations.”