Microsoft Closes Physical Stores Amid Digital Shift

Microsoft has permanently closed all of its physical retail stores worldwide after about a decade in operation. The company had reached its peak with 116 locations, including 106 in the United States.

The decision was made due to the shift towards digital offerings and the success of Microsoft's online store at Microsoft.com. This is not the first time Microsoft has closed physical retail locations; it previously shut down specialty kiosks about a year ago.

There will be no layoffs as a result of this decision, according to Microsoft. The company's retail employees have been working remotely or from corporate locations since the coronavirus pandemic began in March 2020.