Microsoft forges ahead with retail store expansion plans

The company is continuing its transformation from a simple software company with the announcement of its first six stores planned for 2013.

Microsoft unveiled the first six locations for its next wave of retail stores for next year.

The company has been in the middle of a broader transformation to further connect with consumers beyond its Windows software. That has included moving even further into the hardware business with its own tablet, the Surface, going beyond its Xbox 360 video game console and the ill-fated Zune media player. A key part of that strategy has been its growing chain of retail stores, which give it a chance to directly interact with people.