RESEARCH TRIANGLE – Microsoft is closing its retail “Store” locations, the tech giant announced in a blog post Friday.
A Microsoft Store has operated in Durham at the Streets of Southpoint. But the retail outlet there and elsewhere were closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As part of our business plan, we announced a strategic change in our retail operations, including closing Microsoft Store physical locations,” wrote David Porter, Corporate Vice President for Microsoft Store.
“Our retail team members will continue to serve customers working from Microsoft corporate facilities or remotely and we will continue to develop our diverse team in support of the overall company mission and objectives.”
Porter said the group’s staff “has proven success serving customers beyond any physical location. We are energized about the opportunity to innovate in how we engage with all customers, optimize our talent for greatest impact, and most importantly – help our valued customers achieve more.”
At its website for the Southpoint location, Microsoft notes that “All Microsoft Store locations are currently closed until further notice, but you can still access our virtual workshops, trainings and products on microsoft.com, or contact us for help.”
Microsoft has 72 stores in the U.S. and several others abroad where they showcase and sell laptops and other hardware. .
Microsoft said it would “reimagine” the physical spaces at its four high-profile Microsoft Experience Centers in New York City, London, Sydney, Australia and at the company’s headquarters in Redmond, Washington.
Microsoft said the closures would result in a pretax charge of about $450 million, or 5 cents per share, taken in the current quarter ending June 30. The company didn’t say if the move would result in layoffs.
[The Associated Press contributed to this report.]
