A new year is nearly upon us, and Microsoft today committed itself to expanding its retail presence throughout 2013. In a blog post, the Redmond-based company talked-up the successful launch of its 51 physical Microsoft Store locations. Reportedly, the retail venture was successful enough to warrant expansion. As such, the compnay will convert several of its pop-up stores to permanent locations as well as opening six new Microsoft Stores in new locations next year.

 

Microsoft did not indicate how many of the pop-up locations will be converted and how many (if any) will be closed, but the post did detail the locations of the new stores. The lineup is as follows:

  • The Shops in La Cantera, San Antonio, Texas
  • Dadeland Mall in Miami, Florida
  • Beachwood Place in Beachwood, Ohio
  • Westfield San Francisco Centre in San Francisco, California
  • City Creek Center in Salt Lake City, Utah
  • St. Louis Galleria in St. Louis, Missouri

 

The expansion is encrouaging, and it seems that the store locations are worthwhile for Microsoft despite the less than stellar Surface tablet sales. The store in St. Louis will be interesting to see as it is somewhat close to me. You can find all of the details in the blog post on the company's Technet website.

What are your thoughts on Microsoft’s retail expiriment?