Microsoft share price: Company expands reach of Band device

Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:MSFT), the world’s largest software company, has broaden the reach of its $200 fitness and activity tracker Microsoft Band, by adding new retail partners in the US and expanding the device to the UK. The tech giant today said that, with immediate effect, the gadget will be available for purchase at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target in the US. Until now, Band has been sold only at Microsoft stores in the US. The company also said that it would ramp up the number of units shipping to stores across the country.

Microsoft Band is also set to hit the UK. Starting today, the device is available for pre-order for £169.99, from Microsoft stores along with key retail partners in the UK, including Amazon, Curry’s PC World, Dixons Travel, Harrods, and O2. It will hit the UK market on April 15.
“We are excited to announce that we will expand our presence in the US retail channel with the addition of three new retail partners – Amazon, Best Buy and Target,” Matt Barlow, general manager of new devices at Microsoft, said today in a blog post. “They will begin selling product today, with increased shipments planned for the weeks and months ahead.” Barlow also said that the expansion to the UK was “a natural next step for the introduction of Microsoft Health and Microsoft Band”, given the country’s mature mobile market and the growing adoption of health and fitness apps and devices there. He also highlighted the positive customer response to the device and the Microsoft Health mobile application.
In today’s trading, Microsoft shares were down 0.9 percent at $41.19, as of 15:16 UTC. The stock has fallen 11.2 percent since the start of the year. The company’s market capitalisation currently stands at $338 billion.
As of 16:04 GMT, Tuesday, 17 March, Microsoft Corporation share price is $41.28.