Microsoft's first flagship store outside North America to open in Sydney, Australia

Brad Stephenson

Microsoft's first flagship store outside North America to open in Sydney, Australia

Microsoft finally seems to be giving Australian consumers the appreciation they deserve. With the recent launch of Microsoft Australia Azure Geos (aka local Xbox Live servers), support for Office 365 and Dynamics CRM on local data servers, and the announced expansion of its Cloud Solution Provider program, the American tech giant appears to be actively investing in the Australian market and that’s something that’s become even more apparent today with the announcement of the first Microsoft flagship store outside North America due to launch in Sydney.

The planned store will be located within the popular Westfield shopping centre in Pitt Street Mall and promises to give local consumers a chance to experience the entire range of Microsoft’s products such as Windows PCs, Surface devices, Windows Phones, Xbox One and Office. The store will also feature an Answer Desk, Microsoft’s solution to the Apple Stores’ Genius Bar, where customers can ask questions and get tech support related to their Microsoft products.

Launching a flagship store isn’t purely about creating a retail experience though. Microsoft also promises to become more involved in the local community through their involvement in several programs and experiences.

We are also committed to being part of the fabric of the local community in which we’ll operate. We will regularly donate volunteer hours, host community events, offer training workshops, support science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and build deeper relationships with our customers, one person at a time. The space will be as much a place for engaging experiences as it is a retail store.

No date has been given for the store’s launch though it’s probably safe to assume we’ll see it open sometime before the end of the 2015.

What do you think about Microsoft’s growing investment in Australia? Is there an area in which you think they could improve? What other regions would you like to see Microsoft flagship stores open? Share your thoughts in the comments below!