• April 7, 2011

Microsoft is debating the pace at which it should open more retail stores.

According to SFGate and Business Insider (citing sources close to the company) Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and COO Kevin Turner would like to be at least on par with Apple's retail presence of more than 300 stores. (Microsoft currently has eight stores opened, and has announced plans for just two more, bringing the total to 10.)

The report cites several complications from cost (the stores are expensive and not particularly profitable) and the fact that many of the products are available in many other retail outlets people already go to for their Microsoft-powered technology needs. The report notes investors would have a problem with opening stores too quickly at great capital expense.