Those physical Microsoft stores are often practically vacant.<p>But what would the marketing budget for a really well placed billboard be per month? What if you could walk into the billboard? Host launch parties starring famous bands, getting you into more news stories. Fans can make a pilgrimage to something tangible.<p>Apple stores are clearly profitable, but I wonder if &quot;close to break even&quot; isn&#x27;t a good enough goal for brand awareness stores like these.