> Once upon a time, Jima <na...@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