Microsoft bringing Apple battle home with Seattle-area store
Microsoft plans to open a store at the Bellevue Square mall, bringing its budding retail rivalry with Apple to its own backyard, according to building permits filed with the city.
The filings confirm a rumor reported last week by the Downtown Bellevue Network blog. The same blog reported that the existing Apple store at Bellevue Square will be moving to a larger location — setting up a high-profile retail battle between the technology giants a short drive from Microsoft’s Redmond headquarters.
Microsoft declined to comment when we contacted the company about the rumor last week, so we don’t know when the store is slated to open. However, the recent flurry of permitting activity makes it look possible, if not likely, that the store could be ready in time for the upcoming holiday shopping season.
The look and feel of Microsoft stores have been criticized for their similarities to Apple’s stores, but retail experts say copycatting isn’t as shameful in shopping as it is in, say, operating systems.
Bellevue Square becomes the fifth known retail location for Microsoft, joining existing outlets in Mission Viejo, Calif., and Scottsdale, Ariz., and planned stores in Denver and San Diego.
The choice of Bellevue Square isn’t a huge surprise. Microsoft has thousands of employees in the city, including a large contingent across the street at the Lincoln Square office and retail complex.
Although it will be the first Seattle-area location for Microsoft’s retail chain, technically it won’t be the region’s first Microsoft store. The company operates a store at its Redmond visitor center, moved from a previous location across the highway. It also tests retail concepts in a private prototype store dubbed the Retail Experience Center in an office park on the other side of town.
The broader competition between Microsoft and Apple was back in the spotlight last week with the news that Apple had surpassed Microsoft as the most valuable technology company.
