The 10 Fastest-Growing Retailers

Forbes just put out a list of the 10 fastest-growing retailers. Most of the choices are of little surprise, like Amazon.com, Apple stores, Netflix and Urban Outfitters.

There are a few listed that made us look twice though.

Microsoft Adding More Stores

The newest stores in Microsoft’s retail expansion were recently leaked, and it looks like the software company has Denver and San Diego locations in the works. They would join two current stores in Scottsdale, AZ and Mission Viejo, CA.

Microsoft isn’t releasing sales data for its new stores or an overall expansion plan. But an analyst quoted in this article says the main reason it is undertaking the retail roll out is to build the company brand.

Can We Trust the Borders Bump?

One chain that is on the watch list of many industry observers this year for mass store closings is Borders Group. It is second place to Barnes & Noble in a flailing retail sector with only two major national chains pressured by technology.

Plus, it consistently reports weak earnings, at least, until its fourth quarter results came out earlier this week. Borders earned just under $60 million, nearly doubling what it brought in during the same year-ago period, and its stock soared as a result.

Disney Stores Go the Expansion Route

Walt Disney Co. isn’t letting the economy scare it out of an ambitious plan to revamp an expand its 340 stores, according to The New York Times. The Disney chain will rebrand its stores Imagination Park, making them more of an “experience” than just a shopping trip.

“The world does not need another place to sell Disney merchandise — this only works if it’s an experience,” Jim Fielding, president of Disney Stores Worldwide, told the Times. The chain is also looking to expand into high-profile locations and has signed a lease in Times Square.

A Sneak Peek at the New Microsoft Stores

The people over at Gizmodo scored some “leaked” images of the new Microsoft stores that will put them head to head against Apple’s retail locations. Click the image below to check them out.

WHAT? Microsoft is Opening Stores?

We really weren’t expecting to see an announcement like this.

Microsoft is planning a “worldwide” rollout of retail stores and has hired David Porter, a former Wal-Mart executive who spent 25 years at the retailer. Beyond that, details are sketchy, but you can read Microsoft’s press release here.

Even Apple Stores Struggle

We don’t see much data out there on the sales figures of Apple Stores. But a Barron’s article (via Seeking Alpha) quotes an analyst saying that same-store sales at the computer giant’s 250 stores dropped 17.4% year over year in December.

We find this odd, considering that in its latest quarter, Apple posted record revenues and profits. It seems they sold more computers, iPods and iPhones than ever.

We Bet There’s an Apple Store Near You

We recently saw this post about Apple’s site selection and how the computer-powerhouse has been very picky in its real estate strategy.

It seems as though 100 million people are within 15 miles of an Apple store…not bad for a chain of less than 300 units. Check out this map (scroll to bottom). We’re sure Apples are in the highest-priced real estate in the country as well, but are assuming that it’s not a problem for the firm?