Microsoft Plans Windows 8 'Pop Up' Retail Stores

8 Key Differences Between Windows 8 And Windows RT

Microsoft plans to open temporary retail locations this fall to promote its new Windows 8 operating system, and the tablets, laptops, and PCs that carry it.

Microsoft previously disclosed plans for the stores in July at its Worldwide Partner Conference. Monday, the company confirmed that there will be 32 such stores, distributed across the U.S. and Canada.

Some of the shops will be located in high-profile areas, such as in New York City's Time Warner Center, The San Francisco Center, Fashion Show Mall in Las Vegas, and the West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, Alberta. The latter is the largest shopping center in North America.

The list, published by Microsoft, also includes locations in smaller metropolitan and suburban areas, such as San Antonio; Nashville, Tenn.; West Hartford, Conn.; and Paramus, N.J.

A store will also be located in Vancouver, B.C., which was home to the 2010 Winter Olympics. An online recruiting ad for a store manager for the location said the individual "will be responsible for running the store operations of a holiday store for Microsoft retail, and lead a small team to deliver world class customer service, increase brand awareness, and showcase exciting Microsoft products."

The successful candidate will also need to be capable of "lifting with or without assistance (loading and unloading all those great Microsoft products and carrying purchases out for our customers may be required!)," the ad states. Another job function is to, "Smile, have fun, work hard, and achieve success."

[ Microsoft believes it can compete with Android and iOS. See Windows Phone 8: What Microsoft Needs To Compete. ]

Microsoft did not say exactly when the stores would open and close.

The company's retail push isn't surprising. The upcoming holiday shopping season is shaping up to be the most crucial in Microsoft's history. Faced with declining Windows consumer sales, the company is betting big that launches of Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 later this year will once again make it a powerhouse in the consumer tech market.

Apple and manufacturers who make gadgets that run Google's Android have come to dominate the segment in recent years.

But it's a risky bet. With Windows 8, Microsoft is presenting a new face to the world. The operating system ditches the familiar Windows desktop in favor of an interface developed under the name Metro. Metro first appeared in Windows Phone 7. It ditches icons in favor of Live Tiles, which display real-time updates from email, social networks, IM, and other services.

Windows 8 users on PCs and Intel-based tablets will have the option to switch to the classic desktop, but only after starting in Metro. Windows RT tablets, which run ARM-based mobile chips, will run in Metro only.

Windows Phone 7 suffered from poor sales, as Metro failed to catch on. Microsoft is hoping that will change once consumers see it perform on devices with larger screens.

Windows 8 is slated for general release on Oct. 26, with Windows Phone 8 expected to follow shortly after.