Microsoft Corp plans to triple the number of its franchised stores in China to 400 in two years, as the United States tech giant steps up efforts to boost the sales of its consumer electronics products.

The plan came shortly after the firm unveiled a new all-in-one desktop personal computer on Wednesday, to target creative professionals and consumers.

Isaiah Cheung, vice-president at Microsoft Greater China, said China is the second biggest market for its Surface lineup, only after the United States.