Microsoft to close all 83 retail sites

https://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-to-close-most-of-its-retail-stores-turn-flagships-into-experience-centers/

Microsoft is shuttering its retail stores around the world, the company said Friday, transitioning its direct sales focus to online outlets like Microsoft.com and the stores inside Xbox and Windows. 

Flagship Microsoft Store locations, including stores in London, New York, Sydney and at the company's Redmond, Washington headquarters will become "Microsoft Experience Centers." 

The Windows-maker says that the closing of the physical locations will "result in a pre-tax charge of approximately $450 million, or $0.05 per share, to be recorded in the current quarter ending June 30, 2020."