“We want to showcase the very best of Microsoft and present our products in a way that customers see them in the best format”, David Porter, Microsoft Corporate Vice President of Retail Stores, told TIME during a press preview event at the new store.
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The first thing you notice as you approach the new flagship Microsoft Store is how different it looks from its Fifth Avenue neighbors.
Located on tony Fifth Avenue in a location once inhabited by Fendi, Microsoft will sell all of its latest devices including the Surface Pro 4 and the Surface Book laptop/tablet. Microsoft has designed the store in a way that would encourage customers to touch and try laptops or phones and gain a good feeling for them.
There will be more than 160 employees who collectively speak more than 19 languages including Spanish, Hindi, Mandarin Chinese, Italian, Russian and American Sign Language. And colorful displays along with a mock living room to show off the latest Xbox games give the store a more casual feel. The Band 2 devices, which Microsoft has been showing off in its Stores since last week, is available for order now and deliverable starting October 30. There is space devoted to Dell’s upcoming business products and tech support is also on a higher floor.
Microsoft Corp. on Monday opens the doors to its first flagship store in the heart of Manhattan at Fifth Ave. and 53rd St. – the cross streets of a vibrant and historic local community and internationally recognized shopping destination. Microsoft will reveal the Culture Wall and bring down the curtain that is now covering the glass façade.
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Microsoft will also be offering special deals to customers attending the grand opening, as well as giving out tickets to an evening community concert at Rockfeller Center South Plaza with a special performance by Pitbull.
