In a move mirroring rivals like Sony and Apple, Microsoft will enter the retail business. On Thursday they announced that they will be opening their own chain of stores.

Former Dreamworks head of world-wide product distribution David Porter will oversee the new Microsoft retail chain. Microsoft hired Porter yesterday as Vice President of Retail Stores. The Wall Street Journal reports that it's still not clear what will be sold at these stores, but that "Microsoft said the stores could feature a range of products from personal computers running its Windows operating system to cellphones running the company's Windows Mobile operating system to its Xbox videogame console."

Apple currently operates over 200 stores worldwide, though it's a simpler task for them because they make all of their own hardware and software. Microsoft has to determine whether they'll simply sell PC software or whether they'll also carry computers from companies like Dell or Hewlett-Packard. Whenever Microsoft decides to launch these stores, they'll likely start with a handful of pilot locations so be on the lookout if you live in a large city.