A recent rumor suggested that Microsoft was planning on releasing the Surface RT tablet to more retail channels, beyond what is currently available, and that it would happen in a few days. Looks like that rumor was correct. Microsoft has officially announced that it will be increasing Surface RT tablet production and extending retail store availability.
“The public reaction to Surface has been exciting to see. We’ve increased production and are expanding the ways in which customers can interact with, experience and purchase Surface,” Microsoft’s Surface General Manager Panos Panay stated. Starting mid-December, those interested in purchasing a Surface RT can visit a retail store in the United States and Australia and purchase the company’s tablet device. Microsoft plans on extending this availability to other countries in the coming months. Microsoft retail stores will continue to carry the Surface RT. Apparently, this was Microsoft’s plan all along, for those who wondered why Microsoft didnt do this early on. “Our plan has been to expand the retail presence for Surface after the first of the year. Based on interest from retailers, we are giving them the option to carry Surface with Windows RT even earlier,” Microsoft’s Steve Schueler stated. Rumors surfaced that Microsoft needed to do this due to lackluster sales, but this idea was nuked after a report suggested that sales of the Surface RT tablet was “very well.”
It looks like Staples will be the very first non-Microsoft retail outlet to carry the Surface RT. Staples will begin carrying the Surface RT as early as December 12th.
Further reading: Microsoft, Surface, Windows RT
