Microsoft to open Sydney store next month

Microsoft will open its first physical retail outlet outside the United States in Sydney's Pitt Street Mall on November 12. 

The flagship store will be situated in the Sydney city Westfield shopping centre. It will cover 500 square metres spanning two levels, and carry the same range of products and services as Microsoft's outlets overseas.

Customers will be able to access an 'answer desk' for questions, repairs and troubleshooting, similar to Apple's Genius Bar. A 'community theatre' will help customers learn how to use Microsoft products.

The store will be one of the two largest Microsoft stores in the world, alongside the soon-to-open shopfront in New York City.

Microsoft is pitching the stores as “cutting-edge spaces that represent the best of Microsoft”.

The plans to open a physical Sydney store were first announced in April this year.

The company has 110 stores in North America and Puerto Rico, and 17 locations in China.

Rival Apple opened its first Australian retail store in Sydney in 2008, and has since added another 20 shops nationally.

Samsung opened its first outlet in Australia in Sydney in 2012. It is located just outside the Westfield on George St, a stone's throw away from Apple's store.