Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) and electronics retailer Best Buy Co. Inc. (BBY) Thursday announced a strategic partnership to create the Windows Store only at Best Buy.
According to the software giant, the comprehensive store-within-a-store will be in 500 Best Buy locations across the U.S. and in over 100 Best Buy and Future Shop locations in Canada. It will range from 1,500 square feet to 2,200 square feet.
The Windows Store will be the premier destination for consumers to see, try, compare and purchase products and accessories, including Windows-based tablets and PCs, Windows Phones, Microsoft Office and Xbox.
Apart from the dedicated Microsoft specialists already working across Best Buy locations, the alliance will add more than 1,200 Best Buy Microsoft-trained sales associates.
Tami Reller, chief marketing officer and chief financial officer of the Windows Division at Microsoft, said, "The Windows Store offers a large-scale, hands-on customer experience that will show customers how Windows and Microsoft devices and services can make it easier for them to work and play."
MSFT fell 0.8 percent on Thursday to close at $34.72.
BBY settled higher by 2.5 percent at $27.56.
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