(Photo courtesy of the organization)
Calling all techies, Kelly Clarkson fans, local organizations, bargain shoppers and even the not-so-tech savvy! Microsoft doesn’t miss a beat with the Oct. 18 opening of their first full line retail store in Charlotte’s South Park Mall.
“We’re here to really become a part of the Charlotte community and the fabric of the community,” says Microsoft GM of Communication Strategies, Jonathan Adashek.
Microsoft’s in store answer desk is sure to bridge the gap between consumers and staff.
“You can’t get your phone to sync with your PC, you have a virus, you’re not sure how to get something working? Bring it in,” Adashek explains.
Appointments and walk-ins are welcome.
“We don’t care where you bought it, who made it or when you got it. We’ll try to fix it for free,” says Adashek.
Adashek describes Microsoft’s customer service as “amazing.”Their store team trains a month before the grand opening to ensure that customers get exactly what they need from their technology buying experience.
“We’re here to build relationships one at a time,” says Adashek.
Engraining its mark on the Charlotte community, Microsoft is offering over 1 million dollars in technology and software grants to local organizations as well as classes on how to best use its devices and services. Proving the company isn’t “just another merchant.”
Microsoft’s student friendly discounts (educational only) of 200 dollars or ten percent off and Office 365 University service, four years for 79 dollars makes its arrival a welcoming one.
Grand opening sales and events include: an 8 inch, 32GB Toshiba tablet for 99 dollars; 4G, X-Box 360s (without the Connect) for 99 dollars and flagship phones like the Nokia 635 for 99 dollars. Kelly Clarkson is also scheduled to perform Sunday, Oct. 19 at 4 p.m.
Charlotte’s business hub combined with Microsoft’s presence in the community –its operations center, made the Queen City a perfect home for the retail store.
“Charlotte has been on the radar from the very beginning…We’re really here to deliver the choice, value and the service that customers are looking for and that we’re being asked for here in the market,” says Adashek.
Phones, surfaces, tablets, X-Boxes and accessories, Microsoft’s exclusive in store offer of Signature Addition PC gives customers clean fast and secure technology by ridding machines of what Adashek calls “crapware.” Thus, heightening that out of the box euphoria that comes with a new technology purchase.
“We believe everybody should have a machine with good antivirus that’s always up to date and doesn’t expire. That’s what we’re put on all these machines for free,” says Adashek.
Customers who attend the Microsoft store grand opening, Saturday Oct. 18, ay 10:30 a.m. will have a chance to win a pair of tickets to the Kelly Clarkson performance. The first 1,500 people in line for the ribbon cutting ceremony will receive a pair of tickets to see Kelly Clarkson perform live and a chance to win a Meet & Greet with Kelly (100 spots available).
The new Microsoft store will be located in the Nordstrom wing of the mall.