​Microsoft Australia unveils Sydney flagship store

Software vendor Australian locted in Pitt Street mall

Sydney is the first location outside of North America to get a Microsoft flagship store.

The two-storey, 6000 square foot store in Pitt Street features products ranging from Surface Book to Xbox One gaming consoles.

There is also an answer desk offering free services such as Windows 10 assessment. The only other flagship store is located in Manhattan, New York.

The vendor runs a total of 110 stores in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Microsoft international retail stores general manager Travis Walter said that it chose Sydney as Australians tend to be fast adopters of technology and because of the location

“More than 50,000 people a day walk by it [the store] so we are very excited by this location,” he said.

However, the store is not just for consumers. A community theatre has been set aside for events with the vendor's commercial customers and not-for-profit organisations.

Microsoft Australia managing director Pip Marlow said it will be conducting a program for its commercial customers who are based in the city.

“We can hold technology briefings in here and help them do workshops about training and deployment,” she said.

“We really wanted this to be a store where anybody could come from a consumer, small business right through to an enterprise level customer.”

Marlow added that customers who need help with SQL Server or Azure will be able to talk to someone who has expertise in that area.

When asked if the vendor would consider opening a store in Melbourne, she said that for now, the Sydney store would remain its only Australian retail location.

“As we think about our ongoing retail strategy, we are always looking for ideas to grow the business and where our customers want us to be,” she said.

“For now, this is our store and we want to make it the best possible store for Australians.”

Following the opening Microsoft announced it will donate $4.8 million in software and technology to 11 not-for-profit organisations in Australia.

The organisations include The Smith Family, YMCA, Mission Australia, Service to Youth Council. YWCA, Girls & Boys Brigade, United Way, Reach, WAYS Youth Services, AEISEC and the Museum of Applied Arts and Science.


Read more: University of Newcastle plans Windows 10 rollout

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Tags retailMicrosoftPip MarlowMicrosoft flagship store

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