Forget Brexit - Microsoft poised to open flagship store in UK

Despite being a major market for Microsoft with customers generally of a friendly disposition to the company Microsoft has so far failed to deliver a physical Microsoft Store in UK, relying instead on the wonky retail displays at Currys PC world and other electronics retailers.

In January this year, Microsoft reiterated that despite Brexit, “Microsoft’s commitment to the UK is unchanged” and it appears the company is about to make good on that promise, according to UK publication Retail Week.

According to their sources, Microsoft is close to penning a deal for an Oxford Circus location in Central London, replacing the current United Colours of Benetton Store (below).

A  10-year lease at 255-259 Regent Street, currently run by Crown Estate, would deliver a store in a prime location on Oxford Street, and talks are supposedly at a “very advanced stage” but “the ink isn’t dry just yet” on the contract.

Microsoft launched their first physical Microsoft Store 7 years ago, and has been searching for  UK location for some years now. There are currently 116 Microsoft stores, the majority in USA, 8 in Canada and one in Australia.

At the stores, Microsoft showcases their own products, but also the best of their partners, and offer hands-on with their latest innovations, including devices such as the Surface Studio and HoloLens which are unlikely to be seen in any other location.