Microsoft has opened its first flagship store outside of North America in Sydney’s Pitt Street Mall.

When the curtain dropped to reveal the glass two-storey building, Microsoft fans were greeted by cheering ‘skittles’ — sales associates wearing one of the four Microsoft colours.

“Our new flagship is here to showcase the very best of Microsoft to the local community and we are delighted Sydney has been chosen as its home,” said Pip Marlow, MD of Microsoft Australia.

“This is a key part of our commitment to delivering a truly interactive retail experience that gives customers, partners and community organisations the opportunity to see, experience and do great things, all made possible by Microsoft technology.”

The store features an Answer Desk – a one-stop shop for technical questions, troubleshooting and repairs – and a unique community theatre upstairs which can be used for events or training sessions.

There are more than 178 digital panels throughout the store with 38 different video feeds, and two large external screens.

To support the opening, Microsoft donated $4.8 million in software and technology grants to 11 not for profit organisations: The Smith Family, YMCA, Mission Australia, Service to Youth Council, YWCA, Girls & Boys Brigade, United Way, Reach, WAYS Youth Services, AEISEC and Museum of Applied Arts and Services.

It follows the recent opening the company’s flagship store and largest to date on Fifth Avenue in New York. Since opening its first store in 2009, Microsoft has expanded its retail footprint and online presence to serve more than 1 billion customers (through both online and offline channels).

Microsoft has more than 110 stores across the US, Puerto Rico and Canada and operates online stores in 189 countries.

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