First Canadian Microsoft Store to open in Yorkdale Mall

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

(Updated) Canadians will be able to buy their Surface Tablets  this Fall in the first Microsoft Retail Store outside of the US.

Microsoft COO Kevin Turner confirmed today from the Worldwide Partner Conference in Toronto that the Microsoft Store will be coming soon to the Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto, Ontario. This is exciting news indeed since there are only 20 Microsoft Retail Stores and all of them are in the US.

Concept for the Microsoft Store by Lipincott brand strategy and design consultants

This is the first international store for Microsoft and  it will be a 6,845-square-foot store that will employ at least 50 new employees. It will be the perfect venue for consumers to get direct info on Windows 8, Windows Phone 8, XBox as well as purchase "hero' PCs that offer the pure Microsoft experience (i.e. no bloatware).  

Update on Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at 12:53PM by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Just got off the phone with Tedd Ladd from Microsoft who was able to give some more information about the Microsoft Store coming this fall.

-While there are currently 20 Microsoft Stores right now, the Yorkdale Store will be the 31st when it opens 'in the Fall.' (I think in time for Windows 8's launch). The first Microsoft Store opened in Scottsdale, Arizona in 2009.

-Ladd said the stores are incredibly visual with a large video wall. Families will be able to play Kinect on one side of the store and there will be a dedicated Windows Phone section as well where you can pit your smartphone against a Windows Phone in the "Smoked by Windows Phone challenge."

- Canada will see its first Microsoft Siganture PCs, which are highly tuned and specialized PC's that don't have any bloatware and are designed to take full advantage of Windows.

- Ladd says there will be a huge selection of products for every price point. Everything from high-end gaming desktops to budget notebooks as well as the requisite Microsoft Mice, Keyboards and other devices.

- They picked Toronto and Yorkdale in particular because of the high concentration of techies as well a families. Families and the community are a big thing for Microsoft as they see the stores becoming a community hub.  Microsoft will run some charity and donations to the community via the store.

- What I gathered is that this store will be one of many,  although it is special because it is the first International Microsoft Store so it will be a model for all International stores that follow

 

Apple opens first Retail Store in London, Ontario

Apple opened its 23rd Canadian Retail Store in Masonville Place Mall in London, Ontario. The tenth Apple Store to open in Ontario is London's first and its grand opening on Saturday was attended by 300 people. Reports from the London Free Press said that, "some travelling from as far as Port Huron, Michigan, were waiting in line, wrapped around the second floor of the mall before the store opened at 10 am.

Source: MacDailyNews

            London Free Press

Samsung announces first Canadian retail store in Burnaby, B.C.

Samsung's trying its hand at the retail experience starting in Burnaby, BC

Samsung is taking the competition against Apple and Sony one step further by launching its own retail store experience. Samsung Electronics Canada today announced that construction has commenced on the first Samsung branded store in Burnaby, B.C. Located in the Metropolis at Metrotown.

The Samsung store will feature the latest mobile, personal computing, and consumer electronics products, in a standalone retail location.

“Samsung is excited to bring a new level of retail experience to Canadians,” said James Politeski, President of Samsung Electronics Canada. “Our vision is to provide an immersive space where consumers can interact with our products in totally new ways and enjoy unprecedented service levels.”

With unique design elements and a broad product offering, the Samsung store will provide Canadian consumers with a premium retail experience. The store will showcase Samsung’s technology leadership and enable consumers to experience firsthand the power of sharing content across multiple products.

“The launch of our Burnaby location is part of a larger retail strategy designed to offer Canadians an extraordinary environment to interact with the Samsung products they’re most passionate about,” added Politeski.

The Samsung store is slated to open Summer 2012.  

Well.ca puts QR Codes to work with Canada’s first‐ever virtual store

Photo Credits www.trendhunter.comSomeone is putting QR Codes to good use. Well.ca is bringing the first QR‐code virtual store in North America to downtown Toronto. Running from April 2 to 30, this innovative shopping experience allows users to skip the line ups and have their favourite health, baby and beauty products delivered to their homes. Read details of the release after the jump.

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