A new report suggests that Microsoft’s Surface RT, which was recently expanded from a Microsoft Store exclusive product to retail stores such as BestBuy and Staples, has been “modest” in sales compared to the Apple iPad and Kindle Fire.
R.W. Baird’s William Power, who does weekly device checks at retail stores, offered a bit of detail regarding Microsoft’s Surface RT tablet and its sales performance while shopping at a BestBuy and Staples store. Apparently, the Surface RT tablet was not being recommended to consumers. This is what he had to say:
Microsoft’s Surface, which Best Buy just recently started carrying, was not recommended to us by reps without us asking about it specifically. When asked about sales to date, reps noted that the device was new and indicated that early demand has been modest relative to the iPad and Kindle Fire. We would also note that the device was in stock at every store we contacted […] We contacted Staples stores in an effort to further gauge Microsoft Surface sales, though our impression from speaking with reps was tablets are not a major seller at Staples. Tellingly, Staples doesn’t currently carry the iPad. When pressed for details, Staples reps indicated that Surface volumes have been modest to date. Most reps told us that the primary appeal to Surface buyers is the ability to run Microsoft Office. Consistent with our Best Buy checks, the Surface was also in stock at all Staples stores we contacted. Outside of the Surface, the Google Nexus 10 was cited as another strong tablet option.
For those that missed it, Microsoft recently announced that it will be increasing Surface RT tablet production and extending retail store availability to retail stores such as BestBuy and Staples. Microsoft has yet to reveal exactly how well the Surface RT has been doing since its launch.
Further reading: Microsoft, Surface, Windows RT
