Once upon a time, Jima <nanog@jima.tk> said:
On Thu, 15 Sep 2011, Owen DeLong wrote:
I was at Valley Fair mall the other day. Micr0$0ft is apparently building a new store directly across from the Apple store there.
It's funny; they did the exact same thing at Mall of America maybe a year ago. I guess your report confirms it was a strategy, rather than a really absurd coincidence.
They could be following the (possibly urban legend) Burger King model. Supposedly, McDonald's would spend a bunch of time and money doing market research, surveys, and such before placing a new restaurant. Burger King would wait for McDonald's to spend the time and money, and then open a new restaurant across the street.
Oh, wow; been a few years since I heard that one. I'll admit, it seems at least remotely viable. No, in the MoA case I'd say it's more about obvious, direct competition; of all the (according to the site) 4.3 miles of potential storefront at Mall of America, Microsoft chose *directly across the hallway* from the long-standing Apple Store. (Okay, that might be hyperbole -- it may have been a shop or two down, as well; I forget.) Jima