Microsoft To sell MakerBot 3D Printers In American Retail Stores

Microsoft, computer and electronics retailer, has partnered with 3D printing manufacturer MakerBot to offer customers the chance to buy their own MakerBot Replicator 2 Desktop 3D Printer from 18 retail stores across the USA. The move makes Microsoft the first entity to sell the machines on a shop floor outside of MakerBot’s flagship location in New York City.

MakerBot Replicator 2 Desktop 3D Printer

Microsoft store customers will also be able to buy the PLA bioplastic material used by the printer and in-store 3D printing demonstrations will be available and then walk out the door with their own printer and plastic feedstock.

MakerBot has been testing 3D printing demonstrations at Microsoft stores in Seattle, San Francisco and Palo Alto, offering consumers a firsthand experience of 3D printing.

"We've seen tremendous interest and enthusiasm at the three initial 'MakerBot Experience' stores," said MakerBot CEO Bre Pettis. "Rolling the program out to 15 additional Microsoft Stores supercharges our mission to bring 3D printing to more people."

Tremendous interest and enthusiasm is noticed among people at the three initial 'MakerBot Experience' stores

At the 3D Printshow in London last year, MakerBot CEO Bre Pettis told Dezeen editor-in-chief Marcus Fairs that "cheap 3D printers mean manufacturing can again take place at home as it did before the industrial revolution."

Earlier this month The UPS Store launched the first in-store 3D printing service in the US. Now, Microsoft has become the first US retailer to sell MakerBot's desktop 3D printers on the shop floor for customers to take home on the same day.

Future Trends

Microsoft To sell MakerBot 3D Printers In American Retail Stores