The removal of the /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/NetworkInterfaces.plist file, a reboot, and manually removing all network adapter from the Network section of System Preferences resolved the issue for me as well.
After removing all adapters, just add them back to the list and you'll be on the network and able to log in to the App store without problem.
Apparently the image of OS X that they load at the Apple Store has some network adapters included that aren't available on a Macbook Air and causes some kind of conflict that impacts App Store logins.