Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) Teaming Up With Best Buy Co., Inc. (BBY)

When it comes to a strong retail presence, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is anything but an industry leader. That being said, the company still feels as if there is an opportunity to push its products in a retail environment.

For this reason, Microsoft Corporation has announced its intentions to join forces with Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY). And not only are the two companies joining forces, but they are doing so on an extremely large scale.

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is set to open 500 Windows Store location within Best Buy stores throughout the United States. This concept could go a long way in helping the company push its many products to a larger audience, something the company needs to do if it has any plans on pushing PC and tablet sales to new heights in the new future.

Here is an excerpt from DailyFinance.com, talking about what the partnership could mean to both companies:

“The move could help both brands, which are struggling against changing business realities. Microsoft was late to the game on tablets and smartphones, and its offerings — the Surface and the Windows Phone, respectively — have struggled to win over consumers. More concerning is its latest operating system, Windows 8, which overhauled the user experience but is now being blamed for a downturn in PC sales.”

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is playing catch-up in the tablet and smartphone markets, losing out to rivals such as Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Samsung.

Whether or not this partnership does big things for one of both of these companies is yet to be seen, however, it appears to at least be a step in the right direction.

DailyFinance.com took things one step further, adding a list of why this partnership could help both companies:

“1. It minimizes real estate costs for Microsoft.

2. It gives Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY) something to do with its excess floor space.

3. It improves customer service.”

The most important point for Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is that the company will not have to overspend on the cost of real estate, while still having a strategy for improving its retail presence.

This seems like a partnership made in heaven, being that both companies need a lifeline at this point.

Once all 500 stores are setup and operating, it will be interesting to see what this does for the sale of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) devices.

What are your thoughts on this partnership? Will it benefit both Microsoft and Best Buy? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.