Microsoft to Permanently Close All Physical Retail Stores Amid COVID-19
Excluding four outposts in New York, London, Sydney and Redmond.
On June 26, Microsoft announced “a strategic change in its retail operations.” The company issued a statement indicating that this new approach will involve the permanent closure of all its retail stores across the globe effective immediately. Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President David Porter said:
“Our sales have grown online as our product portfolio has evolved to largely digital offerings, and our talented team has proven success serving customers beyond any physical location. We are grateful to our Microsoft Store customers and we look forward to continuing to serve them online and with our retail sales team at Microsoft corporate locations.”
However, its outposts in New York, London, Sydney and Redmond will remain open. The four stores will turn into “Microsoft Experience Centers” and will not sell any products, according to The Verge. Microsoft was set to execute this change in 2021, but due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the tech giant had no choice but to move forward with it this year. Thankfully, none of the company’s retail staff will be laid off. Instead, employees will switch to digital-facing positions.
Read the full memo here for more information on its upcoming initiatives.
