Microsoft just can't get the staff, so takes Apple's…

Microsoft’s copy-cat battle against Apple seemingly knows no boundaries.  In fact, it is attempting to lure away Apple’s retail staff, a report claims.

Citing anonymous sources, The Loop claims Microsoft is attempting to hire Apple retail store managers to staff its future chain of Microsoft retail shops. Apple staff are being offered “significant raises” and – in some cases – relocation expenses.

The report continues to explain that staffers Microsoft has succesfully poached are then contacting their own former senior management to offer them jobs in Microsoft retail.

So, Microsoft’s vision for a retail store is to pop these shops down right beside existing Apple shops, staff them with former Apple workers, offer Genius Bar-like Guru Bars and more…

That’s innovation… The company’s even hired in former Wal-Mart man, David Porter, who is now corporate vice president of retail stores.

Bear in mind the background: Microsoft’s sales fell another 17 per cent in the just gone quarter as profits slid a significant 29 per cent. Sales fell to $13.1 billion, a billion short of analyst expectations and the second quarter of decline. Will a chain of expensive retail shops truly be enough for Microsoft to regain relevancy?