SHANGHAI (Reuters) – Microsoft is consolidating its retail channels in mainland China, the company said in response to media reports that it is closing its network of authorized physical retailers in the world’s second-largest economy.
Microsoft neither confirmed nor denied the closures and did not comment on the number of authorized stores that would be impacted by the consolidation, in response to a Reuters request for comment.
“Microsoft continually evaluates its retail strategy to meet the evolving needs of our valued customers and we have made the decision to focus our channel approach on Mainland China,” it said in a statement.
Microsoft products will still be available on the continent through its retail partners and its own website, he added.
Microsoft does not directly operate physical retail stores in China and did not detail which retail partners would continue to stock its products in the Chinese market.
(Reporting by Casey Hall; Editing by Stephen Coates)
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