Welcome to The Hoosier Illuminati. Macintosh bigot, clothes horse, motorsports fanatic (as long as they turn right), Anglophile.

Clothes and manners do not make the man; but when he is made, they greatly improve his appearance. --Henry Ward Beecher

Microsoft is opening retail stores

But this should in no way suggest they are “borrowing” from Apple yet again. 

Although the retail locations will obviously sell hardware that runs Microsoft software or the company’s range of peripherals, it will also be a branding and goodwill exercise, hoping to copy a little of Apple’s consumer engagement.

I’m not sure I understand the point of the exercise.  Microsoft is not perceived as a boutique company the same way Apple is, nor is there any problem whatsoever finding Microsoft goods in the retail marketplace.  It’s just another case of Microsoft’s lack of focus and feeling it has to match others’ successes in every environment.  One hates to use Dilbertesque phrases like “focus on core competencies,” but seriously, Microsoft, what are you?