# Location-Based Ads Microsoft Wraps Beacon-Enabled Advertising Around Its Retail Stores By Meghan Young | Published 2015-02-20 | Business Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/locationbased-ads References: [adweek](http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/why-microsoft-wrapping-location-based-ads-around-retail-stores-158189) & [microsoft](http://www.microsoft.com) Location-based ads are being taken to the next level by [Microsoft](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/webbased-store). In an effort to continue to solidify its reinvention as well as merchant presence, the electronics and software company is reaching out directly to its consumers. It is working with NinthDecimal to introduce these location-based ads. Although it first focused on holiday-specific marketing, it is easy to see how this tactic can be expanded to target even more events and interests. Instead of focusing on [Beacon](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/modo-modo) technology on a retail basis, Microsoft is setting itself apart from other businesses and stores. Of course, the use of location-based ads may simply be a stepping stone for other similar implementations. After all, the location-based ads are promoting products and services within the store itself. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.9/10 - Popularity: 8% | Activity: 41% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business) > [Retail](https://www.trendhunter.com/retail) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Location-based Ads:** Microsoft is leveraging location-based ads to solidify its reinvention and reach out to consumers, paving the way for further implementations in different industries. - **Beacon Technology:** Microsoft's use of Beacon technology for location-based ads sets it apart from other businesses and stores, opening up opportunities for disruptive innovation in various sectors. - **Event-based Marketing:** The expansion of Microsoft's location-based ads beyond holiday-specific marketing demonstrates the potential to target different events and interests, creating opportunities for disruptive innovation in marketing strategies. ### Where This Applies - **Retail:** The use of location-based ads by Microsoft within its retail stores presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the retail industry, revolutionizing targeted advertising to better engage consumers. - **Technology:** Microsoft's adoption of Beacon technology in location-based ads highlights disruptive innovation opportunities within the technology industry, paving the way for personalized and targeted advertising solutions. - **Marketing:** The implementation of location-based ads by Microsoft showcases disruptive innovation opportunities in the marketing industry, revolutionizing the way brands connect with consumers through real-time targeting and contextual advertising. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Geo-Fencing Advertising Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/geofencing-feature.md) - [Retail Marketing Advancements](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/programmatic-targeting-solution.md) - [Hyper-Targeted Shoppable Posters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/glossier-and-shop.md) - [Location-Based Social Media Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spotselfie.md) - [Interactive In-Store Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/visibubble.md) - [Advanced Retail Campaign Kiosks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/freeosk-and-place-exchange.md) - [In-Store Audience Analytics Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/in-store-audience-analytics.md) - [Location-Based QSR Technology](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chipotle-3.md) - [Large-Scale Digital Signage](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/largescale-digital-signage.md)