Though Microsoft had one head start in promoting the new Windows operating system in France, the Apple Inc. has placed the first store in one prized position which is in the bowels of Carrousel shopping center of the Louvre museum.

Both of the companies are having large operations in France as according to Paul Jackson who is the analyst with Forrester Research, but he has said that Apple particularly was actually looking for burnishing the premium image with this new Paris site.

Jackson has said that it has more to do with feelings of the association with the premium shopping as compared to the market itself. He further said that France as the technology market has tended to lag behind Britain as well as Germany, which have the Apple stores already.

The French expansion of Apple will be taking place against the uncertain economic background, with the consumers spending in France is still volatile and supported by the government measures like the car scrap page scheme. But the spending on must have gadgets like the Apple iPhone has proven to be robust. France Telecom also has sold 1.3 million iPhones between the months of November 2007 and September 2009, while the new entrants SFR and Bouygues Telecom sold around 200,000 iPhones since the France Telecom had lost exclusivity in spring.