Microsoft to favor online sales at the expense of its stores – News 27/06/2020

A Microsoft store closed at Oxford Circus in London, UK on May 8, 2020. (Xinhua / Tim Ireland)

Microsoft announced Friday a strategic change in its retail operations, including the closure of physical locations of Microsoft Stores and with a focus on online sales.

SAN FRANCISCO, June 26 (Xinhua) – Microsoft announced Friday a strategic change in its retail operations, including the closure of physical Microsoft Store locations and a focus on online sales.

The company said in a statement that members of the retail teams “will continue to serve customers from Microsoft facilities and provide remote sales, training and support.”

It will continue to invest in its digital storefronts on Microsoft.com and its online sales of Xbox and Windows, “reaching more than 1.2 billion people each month in 190 markets,” the company said.

“Our sales have increased online as our product portfolio has evolved into essentially digital offerings,” said vice president David Porter, adding that the sales teams have proven themselves by serving customers beyond any physical place.

Since Microsoft Store sites closed in late March due to the new coronavirus epidemic, the retail team has helped small businesses and education customers transform themselves digitally, has trained virtually hundreds Thousands of companies and customers in the education sector for work and distance learning software and helped them with calls to customer service, Microsoft said in its press release.

“This is a new day for how Microsoft Store team members will serve all customers,” said Porter. “We are excited about the possibility of innovating in the way we engage with all customers.”