The Los Angeles Times recently published (November 26, 2010) an article on the 7 Microsoft stores versus the 300 Apple stores. In a trip to the Mission Viejo mall, they noted the following:
“Over a half-hour period, 19 people walked out of the mall’s Apple Store carrying purchases in one of the company’s signature white bags. By comparison, just three walked out of the nearby Microsoft Store with merchandise.
The survey may not have been scientific, but it reflects what analysts say is the challenge Microsoft Corp. faces in taking on Apple Inc. in America’s shopping centers.”
Shareology did a spot check December 14 at the Mall of America South location of the newly opened Microsoft store, directly across the hall from Apple, and found pretty much the same result. During the opening days of the Microsoft store, a boatload of excitement was generated. Shareology even got caught in public dancing to Poker Face on Kinect, the product that Microsoft seems to be pushing the most.
However, now that the dust is settling, it looks like Apple has about 5 times more customers than Microsoft. A peek at Mall of America South, first the Apple store:
Shareology had to bob and weave between customers to make it through the Apple store.
Alas, the same could not be said for Microsoft:
Shareology kinda hopes Microsoft succeeds at MOA; it’s a much better story when they are both full of customers and competing. The sales figures for both thus create a Win-Win-Win for Microsoft, Apple and Mall of America. Come on, go out and buy a Kinect and dance your holiday away!!
For the Los Angeles Times take on this, check out http://articles.latimes.com/2010/nov/26/business/la-fi-microsoft-stores-20101126
Kay Roseland @KayLoire
The photos were taken Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at approximately 11:15 am…”normal” mall hours.