Microsoft to permanently close nearly all of its retail stores

Microsoft is about to give up on retails. The company announced today that it plans to permanently close all Microsoft Store locations in the United States and around the world, except for four locations that will remain open.

The four locations that will remain locations are New York, London, Sydney, and the Redmond campus location.

All other Microsoft Store locations across the United States and globally will be closing.

The decision partially explains why Microsoft had yet to reopen a single store after they were all closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Microsoft said its “approach for re-opening Microsoft Store locations is measured and cautious, guided by monitoring global data, listening public health and safety experts, and tracking local government restrictions”.

The company has not made it clear when any stores might open again.