Microsoft's New Retail Endeavor

Despite the retail industry's troubled times, Microsoft has decided to try it's hand at the game. The company plans to open retail stores where it will sell it's products and offer assistance to customers. The store will be much like the Apple retail locations. Microsoft has hired David Porter, a 25-year veteran of Wal-Mart, as the corporate vice president for retail stores. It seems pretty brave of Microsoft to go into this industry at such a time. Circuit City has recently filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and closed over 500 locations. Best Buy also had lower than expected performance over the holiday season. Electronics are not a high priority on most people's lists because of job loss and the failing economy. It is hard to day whether or not this venture will prove successful. I guess time will tell.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/14/technology/companies/14soft.html?_r=1&ref=business

Major Job Cuts for Macy's

Macy's recently announced that they would cut 7,000 jobs as a result of a weak economy and poor performing holiday season. It was one of the worst in decades. This comes after the January 8th announcement that they were closing 11 stores and cutting over 900 jobs. It was effective immediately, and most of the jobs were cut from the central office, showing that the need for savings was drastic. The divisions in San Fransisco, Miami, and Atlanta were closed, all of which were larger operators. Macy's consolidated all of these into one operating headquarter in New York City. This really shows that our economy is in a terrible state, that a company that has been around for decades can fall so hard.

http://www.jsonline.com/business/38813542.html