Microsoft May Open Store in San Francisco

Microsoft Corp. may open a store in a San Francisco entertainment retail center that Sony Corp. is developing. The store, which would be Microsoft’s first, would preview and promote Microsoft products, though the company wouldn’t sell any software, a spokeswoman said. The Redmond, Wash.-based software maker wouldn’t disclose costs and said it didn’t know when it will decide whether to go ahead with the venture. The Microsoft store primarily would serve to boost its brand name. The center is scheduled to open next year. Microsoft shares rose $3.9375 to close at $94.25 on Nasdaq.