Microsoft in February signaled its intention to open a chain of retail stores and hired 25-year Wal-Mart veteran David Porter to oversee the effort. Microsoft had been rumored to be planning such a move, but given the retail industry's well-publicized struggles, its timing could scarcely have been more surprising than if Steve Ballmer showed up for a keynote speech wearing a ballerina costume.
But Microsoft apparently feels the time is right to give consumers a space to touch, feel and interact with its products the way they can in Apple's retail stores. Microsoft's retail push will be hugely expensive, and bashers will doubtless have a field day poking fun at the stores, but no one can argue that Microsoft isn't taking a very interesting gamble here.
