Microsoft to close all stores in Canada for good

The decision was made after the multinational technology company closed its stores in March as a result of the pandemic, reports CTV News.

The company said that all employees will be given the opportunity to continue working there.

Microsoft has 83 stores around the world—72 of them in the U.S. The company is calling the move a “strategic change” as it shifts towards more of an online presence.

"Our sales have grown online as our product portfolio has evolved to largely digital offerings, and our talented team has proven success serving customers beyond any physical location," said David Porter, Microsoft’s corporate vice president.

Microsoft plans to “reimagine” its Microsoft Experience Centers, which are located in New York, Sydney, London, Australia as well as its Redmond, Washington headquarters.

Closing the stores will reportedly cost $450 million in pre-tax charges.

"This is a tough, but smart strategic decision for Nadella & Co. to make at this point," Wedbush analysts wrote. "The physical stores generated negligible retail revenue for MSFT and ultimately everything was moving more and more towards the digital channels over the last few years."