Microsoft Malaysia builds phone store network

Microsoft Malaysia will convert 39 Nokia retail stores into a network of Microsoft authorised reseller smartphone shops.

The company’s GM of mobile devices sales for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, Bruce Howe, revealed the plan during the opening ceremony of the first Microsoft Malaysia store at the Suria KLCC shopping centre in downtown Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia is the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to see the new telco store format and the conversions are scheduled to be complete by the end of the year.

“This transition is a big leap for our brand besides giving opportunity in terms of scaling up the retail footprint and widen the Microsoft range in Malaysia,” he said at the launch..

Microsoft Malaysia chief marketing and operation officer Rukmani Subramaniam described the launch as a “significant development” for the brand.

“We get feedback from Microsoft customers that its hard to find Microsoft stores in Malaysia, so we ran this transition to give more chances for them visit and learn how to make the most of Microsoft technology,” she said.

Microsoft, the world’s largest computer software company, acquired the Finnish Nokia telecommunications technology company’s devices and services division business in April 2014, forming a wholly owned Finland-based subsidiary Microsoft Mobile Oy. That company has the rights to use Nokia branding on some phones, but not on the popular Lumia range, which is now sold as a Microsoft handset.