On: Microsoft to permanently close its retail stores

[dade_]

I think the stores were always about building the Surface brand and relaunching the Windows & Office brand.

Demonstrating touch interfaces in the COVID world simply isn't going to work anymore. The cloud has won, COVID killed prem.

Mission Accomplished! Was it profitable? Doesn't matter.

[campl3r → dade_]

it might be related to covid, but I fail to see how touch interfaces are problematic for the store, people (and regulations) don't care anymore.

[asveikau → campl3r]

I don't know where you are that people and regulations don't care, but I am still going to stores that wipe payment touchscreens with sanitizer between individual uses.

[rsynnott → campl3r]

For now. Given the sharp rise in US cases, they will care soon.