Microsoft debuts its first Australian flagship store on Sydney’s Pitt Street Mall
Sydney, Australia – November 12, 2015: Microsoft Australia today opens the doors to its first flagship store outside of North America, in one of Australia’s busiest and most sought-after retail shopping districts.
The two-story, 6000 square-foot space located at Westfield Sydney on Pitt Street Mall, features an assortment of best-in-class products and in-store services. The Microsoft Flagship Store in Sydney will serve as the centrepiece to the Microsoft store experience in Australia and will offer cutting-edge retail and experiential spaces that allow consumers to get hands on with products in an immersive way.
“Our new flagship store is here to showcase the very best of Microsoft to the local community and we are delighted Sydney has been chosen as its home,” said Pip Marlow, managing director, Microsoft Australia. “This is a key part of our commitment to delivering a truly interactive retail experience that gives customers, partners and community organisations the opportunity to see, experience and do great things, all made possible by Microsoft technology.”
The Sydney Flagship Store will be a cutting-edge space that features the latest technologies from Microsoft and its partners, the highly-anticipated Answer Desk – a one-stop shop for technical questions, troubleshooting and repairs for Microsoft hardware, software and services – regardless of device or where it was purchased – and the unique community theatre where members of the community can immerse themselves in new technology, learn and engage with experts.
It follows the recent opening of the company’s first flagship and largest store to date, located on Fifth Avenue, New York City, making Australia the home of the second only retail flagship and first outside of North America to be opened by Microsoft. Since opening its first store in 2009, Microsoft has expanded its retail footprint and online presence to serve more than 1 billion customers through the company’s community-based retail strategy. There are more than 110 stores across the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada, as well as online stores operating in 189 countries.
Get hands-on with Microsoft’s latest technology
The Microsoft Flagship Store offers best-in-class products that take advantage of powerful and versatile hardware to unlock new Windows 10 experiences. Products available through the store include new Surface devices, such as the Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 and the new fitness wearable, Microsoft Band 2, which go on sale today for the first time. Other products include Microsoft Lumia, Signature Edition PCs, Xbox One, Office, a variety of accessories, and more. Local Sydney residents and visitors alike are invited to experience the unique energy, expertise and service that Microsoft stores associates are known for.
Commitment to serving local community
With each store opening, Microsoft aims to deliver a positive impact on the communities in which it operates by providing opportunities to empower local youth and businesses through technology, training and experiences. In celebration of the new flagship location at Westfield Sydney, Microsoft will today donate a total of AUD$4.8 million in software and technology grants to 11 not-for-profit organisations making a difference in Sydney, and across Australia. Recipients include The Smith Family, Mission Australia, Service to Youth Council, Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, YMCA, YWCA, United Way, Reach, Girls & Boys Brigade, WAYS Youth Services and AEISEC.
Celebrating a first in Microsoft’s history
Microsoft is celebrating the opening of its first flagship store with fans and the local Sydney community with festivities throughout the day. Microsoft Australia’s managing director, Pip Marlow, will host the inaugural ribbon-cutting ceremony joined by Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President of Marketing and Operations, Peter Cray, New South Wales Treasurer, The Hon. Gladys Berejiklian and the new Sydney Flagship Store manager, Nick Wells. Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony outside of the main entrance, a curtain will drop – unveiling the inside of the Microsoft Flagship Store for the first time – before it officially opens to the Australian public at noon.
The first 750 customers to visit the flagship store will be rewarded with two complimentary tickets to an exclusive concert with international artist, Jessie J, who will be supported by The Voice Australia 2015 winner, Ellie Drennan. The concert will be held at 7 PM at the iconic State Theatre, on Market Street, Sydney.
Experience what’s in store for Microsoft
The Microsoft Flagship Store will offer a full line up of products, devices and services. Microsoft associates will be able to help customers with any Microsoft hardware, software or services – regardless of device or where it was purchased.
As part of our commitment to providing the best possible choice, value and service for customers, the Sydney store will also include an expanded assortment of Dell products on the first and second floor, as part of a global partnership. Customers will have the chance to experience a range of innovative Dell products, including the XPS, Inspiron, Vostro and Latitude lines of end-user computing and Alienware gaming products — all built using Microsoft technology. The Sydney store will also feature the latest technologies from a wide range of hardware manufacturers.
In collaboration with design firm Gensler, the Microsoft Flagship Store features a number of unique and sustainable design elements including a two-story façade of glass with minimal attachments to display all the store has to offer inside:
- Answer Desk. Free services include Windows 10 assessment, extended diagnostics on any device, software repair or support, virus and malware removal, PC tune-ups, and more.
- Community Theatre.The first of its kind retail theatre in Australia is a space where customers can learn from experts how to use Microsoft’s latest and most popular products for their everyday work and lives. The theatre is used for training sessions and also hosts activities for local community organisations and other in-store events.
- Immersive video walls.High-definition video walls and digital signage will be featured throughout the Microsoft Flagship Store to engage directly with visitors while streaming videos, images and information. There are more than 178 digital panels throughout the store with 38 different video feeds. All digital screens are 1080p resolution, delivering more than 2 million image pixels through the store.
About Microsoft Stores
In 2009, Microsoft opened its first Microsoft store in Scottsdale, Ariz. Since then, Microsoft has opened more than 110 retail locations across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico and welcomed more than 1 billion customers to its full-line, specialty and online Microsoft store properties in 189 markets globally. Microsoft stores are committed to delivering outstanding choice, value and service for each customer, featuring an assortment of best-in-class products, including computers, software and games to music, tablets, phones and wearables. For a list of Microsoft stores, visit http://microsoftstore.com/locations.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services, devices and solutions that help people and businesses realise their full potential. More information can be found at: www.microsoft.com.au.
