Microsoft opens first European flagship store in London ‘s West End
Microsoft will open its first retail store in Europe on Thursday as the software giant looks to boost its physical presence and compete with other tech companies offering unique in-store experiences for customers. Find out more about Microsoft London store below.
The 21,932 square-foot Microsoft store will be located on Oxford Circus in the center of London’s famous shopping district – just down the street from Apple’s flagship Regent Street location. London will be Microsoft’s third flagship destination, along with Sydney and New York City.
“This is our very first foray into Europe, and we couldn’t be more pleased to be in London,” Microsoft CMO Chris Capossela said in an interview Tuesday.
Microsoft is among a growing list of tech companies expanding their physical presence to complement online sales. Amazon is reportedly planning to open up to 3,000 cashier-less grocery stores by 2021. Chinese tech giant Xiaomi told CNBC in February it plans to triple its European store count by the end of the year.
Microsoft’s 3-floor store includes an Xbox gaming room, a customized McLaren, meeting rooms for enterprise clients and a digital classroom where students can learn how to code. Cindy Rose, CEO of Microsoft U.K., said the store appeals to general consumers, as well as the company’s more targeted customers like businesses and gamers.
The store also highlights Microsoft’s Surface computers and tablets, which have helped the software titan grow its hardware business. Sales of Surface devices increased 21 percent year-on-year last quarter.
Staff in the store will collectively speak 45 different languages, including three associates who are fluent in British Sign Language.
“They speak Arabic to Urdu,” Capossela said. “So no matter who you are, no matter what walk of life you come from, this is a welcome place for you.”
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