Microsoft Consolidates Retail Channels in China

FILE PHOTO: A person walks past a Microsoft sign at its office building in Beijing, China May 25, 2023. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A person walks past a Microsoft sign at its office building in Beijing, China May 25, 2023. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/File Photo
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Microsoft Consolidates Retail Channels in China

FILE PHOTO: A person walks past a Microsoft sign at its office building in Beijing, China May 25, 2023. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A person walks past a Microsoft sign at its office building in Beijing, China May 25, 2023. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/File Photo

Microsoft is consolidating its retail channels in mainland China, the firm said in response to media reports that it is closing its network of authorized physical retailers in the world's second-largest economy.
Microsoft did not confirm or deny the closures and did not comment on the number of authorized stores that would be impacted by the consolidation, in response to a request for comment from Reuters.
"Microsoft continually assesses its retail strategy to meet the evolving needs of our valued customers and we’ve made the decision to focus our channel approach in Mainland China," it said in a statement.
Microsoft products would still be available in the mainland via its retail partners and its own website, it added.
Microsoft does not directly operate physical retail stores in China and it did not elaborate on which retail partners would continue to stock its products in the China market.



stc Group Supports Esports World Cup with Digital Content for Game and Esports Fans

Supported by stc's world-class connectivity services, the Esports World Cup is contributing to the growth of the gaming sector in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
Supported by stc's world-class connectivity services, the Esports World Cup is contributing to the growth of the gaming sector in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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stc Group Supports Esports World Cup with Digital Content for Game and Esports Fans

Supported by stc's world-class connectivity services, the Esports World Cup is contributing to the growth of the gaming sector in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
Supported by stc's world-class connectivity services, the Esports World Cup is contributing to the growth of the gaming sector in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

stc Group has strengthened its leadership in enabling digital transformation in Saudi Arabia by supporting the first edition of the Esports World Cup, where it introduced innovative interactive concepts that added a distinctive character to the tournament, allowing visitors from all over the world to enjoy unprecedented experiences and explore the vast possibilities in the world of games and esports.

stc Group, through stc Play Gaming Hall, has provided many interactive experiences, including stc Play Zone, which includes an advanced virtual reality simulator, and stc Play Streaming Zone, which provides the latest high-definition live streaming devices to enrich the visitors' experience.

It also provided stc TV Zone, a photography pavilion where visitors can document the most beautiful moments in a suspenseful atmosphere.

For those wishing to purchase the latest versions of gaming consoles and accessories, the group has provided an integrated store that contains all their needs through the stc Play Shop.

The various experiences provided by stc Play Gaming Hall also included stc Play Studio, which showcases electronic games developed by Manga Productions of Misk Foundation, and stc Qitaf Zone, which allows gamers to interact with games via virtual reality technology.

Supported by stc's world-class connectivity services, the Esports World Cup is contributing to the growth of the gaming sector in Saudi Arabia, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which is to establish the Kingdom as a leading global destination for electronic games.