The software giant is cutting out the middle man in the UK and Germany by offering consumers the chance to buy its products through a new online store.

They’ve done almost everything else, so why not retail? That would seem to be Microsoft’s thinking. The company has opened online stores in the UK and Germany, giving consumers the chance to purchase its software. The products are available via download only, but later this year physical product will be available, and Microsoft has plans to expand its retail outlet into others countries.