Microsoft will make their Surface tablet available at additional retailers, while extending a host a company holiday stores and turning some into permanent Microsoft retail outlets.

The software giant made the announcement as interest in the tablet increases, with customers able to buy the product across the U.S. and Australia retail stores from mid-December, with other countries set to be available in the coming months.

“The public reaction to Surface has been exciting to see. We’ve increased production and are expanding the ways in which customers can interact with, experience and purchase Surface,” says Panos Panay, general manager, Microsoft Surface.

Microsoft says the Surface, yet to be available in New Zealand, will continue to be available for purchase in countries such as Canada, China, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

The company will also extend their holiday stores, with the outlets expected to turn into either permanent brick-and-mortar retail outlets or specialty store locations.

“Our plan has been to expand the retail presence for Surface after the first of the year," says Steve Schueler, corporate vice president, Microsoft Retail Sales and Marketing.

"Based on interest from retailers, we are giving them the option to carry Surface with Windows RT even earlier.”