Microsoft will open 75 new stores in the next two-three years, Chief Operating Officer Kevin Turner told attendees of the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference yesterday.

The corporation opened its first store back in 1999 at Metreon Shopping Centre in San Francisco. It shut down in 2001.

Competing brand Apple has over 320 stores worldwide. In 2009, Microsoft opened 11 more stores; all positioned as close to rival Apple’s stores as possible. Now Microsoft will revive its retail store plan.

Turner told attendees: “The biggest single thing, ladies and gentlemen, we've learned from the stores is it's helping us to transition from thinking about our customers to thinking like our customers. And giving us that direct customer feedback is what we're learning and getting from our stores, providing great choice, value, and service.”

Some of the 75 new stores will be opened outside of the US, although exact locations have not yet been confirmed.

Video: YouTube user provides a tour of a Microsoft store: