The first physical retail store for Microsoft in the UK will be located on Oxford Circus and covers 21,932 square feet over three floors.
Those who work, live, shop in or visit the UK will be able to test and experience the latest technology, products and services from Microsoft and its partners. Interactive zones, surrounded by immersive video walls running throughout the store, will make this the best place to get hands-on with Surface, Windows, Office, Xbox and PC gaming, HoloLens mixed-reality and more.
Designed to build connections with the local community, customers and businesses, the flagship Microsoft Store in London represents a unique way to deliver on the company's mission to empower every person and organisation on the planet to achieve more.
David Porter, Microsoft Store, said: “A flagship store in London has long been part of our vision for our physical and digital store presence. This opening represents another step in our journey to meet our customers – from consumers to businesses – wherever they are and deepen our connection with them. London is one of the world’s most exciting shopping destinations, and we look forward to empowering customers to explore all that is possible with Microsoft.”
The flagship Microsoft Store will feature an Answer Desk, offering a dedicated area for customers to get tech support, trainings, repairs and advice from trusted advisors on Microsoft products and services, no matter where the device was purchased, the brand or operating system.
“This new flagship store builds upon Microsoft’s significant track record of investment in the UK,” said Cindy Rose, Microsoft UK. “More importantly, located in the heart of central London it will serve as a vibrant hub – for both visitors to our great city as well as a variety of different local communities – to come and play, learn, create and discover.”
A Community Theatre, a space for tech, coding and STEM learning, will run free, year-round workshops and programmes for customers. So if you are a business owner looking for the latest tech to grow your business, a gamer who wants to join a community or show your skills in a tournament, a student wanting to brush up on coding or a teacher looking to bring Minecraft alive in the classroom, customers of all ages and abilities will be able to learn and develop their digital skills.
John Carter, newly appointed Store Manager for the flagship Microsoft Store in London, said: “This will be more than just a store. Customers will have the chance to explore and get hands-on with technology. We’ve got a passionate group of store associates ready to bring the experience of tech alive for customers. Unique to any job in retail, there will be many ways for us to give back to our communities, help them build connections and grow.”
The Microsoft Store in London is the latest step in the company’s almost 40-year investment in the UK. Microsoft recently doubled the size of its Azure regions to help more organisations digitally transform and is committed to support the growth of digital skills in the UK in partnership with computing education and youth communities.
The site also adds to the growing list of innovative facilities Microsoft runs in the UK, including three gaming studios, the start-up hub Reactor London and the global centre of excellence for the development of artificial intelligence and other computing disciplines in the Microsoft Research Lab in Cambridge.
The flagship Microsoft Store in London joins world-class Microsoft Store locations including flagships in New York and Sydney and stores across the US, Canada and Puerto Rico, and online in more than 190 countries.
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