Microsoft stores in Mass. to permanently close

Microsoft Corp. is closing its physical retail stores around the world. The Redmond, Washington, technology company said Friday it would permanently close all of its stores, with the exception of locations in New York City, London, Sydney and its hometown. Those stores will be reconfigured as “experience centers.” Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) lists a total of 72 stores in the United States, with three mall locations in Massachusetts: Boston's Prudential Center, the Burlington Mall and the Natick…