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Microsoft has launched an online retail store in UK and Germany through which customers can purchase different products like Windows Vista and Office 2007 directly from the company.

The store will be offered in more countries in the coming months.

Microsoft Store is a shopping web site that offers a broad selection of Microsoft software for consumer purchase. Some products offered on the Microsoft Store are available for electronic download.

According to Alex Reeve, business group director at Microsoft UK:

Customers are now demanding a higher level of online interaction prior to purchase. Many consumers require interaction with manufacturer and publisher, not only for the supply of information but in some cases to purchase products. Microsoft Store is a new addition to the existing channels already provided giving consumers ultimate choice.

When asked as to what about the existing sales channel through partners, the company replied that it is still committed to them but believes that many consumers are looking to deal with Microsoft directly in some cases.

Reeve said:

We are currently unable to commit to an exact timeline as the platform will be based on consumer experience and feedback. The end experience is our ultimate priority.

As far as shipping of items is concerned Microsoft currently offers three methods in UK:

• Mail-Log
• UPS Standard
• UPS Express

The store is powered by arvato AG (Germany) which is one of the biggest internationally networked media and communication services providers with more than 270 subsidiaries worldwide.