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"In line with yesterday's reports that Microsoft's Surface distribution strategy will expand,\u00A0the company has officially announced its plans to ramp up production of Surface, while expanding it to &amp;quot;additional retailers&amp;quot; in the United States and Australia\u00A0by mid-December.\r\n\r\nIn addition, Microsoft has also shared that its holiday stores will be\u00A0extended\u00A0beyond the holidays, several of which will transition into\u00A0permanent Microsoft retail outlets.\r\n\r\nPreviously, we had heard that both Best Buy and Staples will carry Surface units, and while Microsoft has yet to make an official announcement, both retailers are likely on the company's short list. Adding together holiday promotions and new\u00A0availability\u00A0across the US and\u00A0Australia, it's clear that Microsoft is still hoping strong holiday sales will meet its young tablet.\r\n\r\nSteve Schueler, the corporate vice president of Microsoft Retail Sales and Marketing, states that Microsoft had originally planned to expand its retail presence after its first year, but now, Microsoft is citing &amp;quot;interest from retailers&amp;quot; as its reason for allowing them to carry\u00A0Surface with Windows RT early.\r\n\r\nAs we've detailed, Windows 8 and the Surface are said to be behind Microsoft\u2019s projections. With that in mind, it's hardly surprising to see Microsoft accelerate its roll-out to partners.\r\n\r\nImage credit:\u00A0DON EMMERT / Getty Images"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://thenextweb.com/microsoft/2012/12/11/microsoft-announces-surface-production-ramp-up-as-it-brings-rt-models-to-retailers-in-us-australia/>