Apple Retail Store News Roundup

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/06/04/apple-retail-store-news-roundup/)

Over the past few days, a number of items regarding Apple's retail stores have popped up, and we've collected some of them here for visibility and discussion.

- USA Today reported (http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/technology/2009-05-27-apple-expansion-plans_N.htm) last week about Apple's plans for its retail stores, revealing that Apple is planning to remodel 100 of its existing stores this year, in addition to the 25 new stores under development. Renovated stores will offer 50% more Genius Bar space and twice as much room for displaying products.

- The New York Post reported (http://www.nypost.com/seven/06022009/business/space_race_on_fifth_avenue_172089.htm) in a piece on New York City's Fifth Avenue shopping district that Apple's flagship store on the street was promoted by the building's owner as recording a staggering $440 million per year in sales. As Daring Fireball's John Gruber points out (http://daringfireball.net/linked/2009/06/03/fifth-avenue), the number is approximately one-third that of Palm's 2008 revenue for the entire company.

- ifoAppleStore points to (http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2009/06/03/second-beijing-store-design-revealed/) the online portfolio (http://www.studioshanghai.com/ar_bj_apple.html) of architect Ben Wood, which features a dramatic design for what is reported to be a new Apple retail store for Beijing, China. ifoAppleStore's sources report that construction is already underway at an unspecified location on Qianmen Street with a grand opening scheduled for later this year.


http://images.macrumors.com/article/2009/06/04/100543-apple_store_qianmen_500.jpg


- Apple will be holding a grand opening this Saturday for a new retail store in Roseville, California (http://www.apple.com/retail/roseville/), a major shopping hub in the Sacramento area. The new store will be located in the Westfield Galleria at Roseville, which is in the midst of a major expansion project.

Article Link: Apple Retail Store News Roundup (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/06/04/apple-retail-store-news-roundup/)

[gibbz]

The Chinese store design looks amazing.

[alec]

Renovated stores will offer 50% more Genius Bar space and twice as much room for displaying products.

So are they going to cut down on floor space or back room space? The biggest problem for me has been how cramped a lot of the Apple stores are.. it's not worth the hassle to go to a lot of Apple stores on Saturday/Sunday due to the volume of traffic!

[SFStateStudent]

I'm checking out the Santa Rosa Store opening......:cool::cool::cool:

[DipDog3]

Remodel over 100 stores?

That is going to cost a few bucks!

[VanMac]

Expanding the space in some of the stores is a great move. Many of the Apple stores can get pretty cramped. Says alot for the traffic they generate though....

Anywho, good news, keep on building!

[Ivan P]

Add a Perth store while you're at it...come on Apple!

[Pugpuppydude]

Haha I love the diss here on Palm!

[gibbz]

Remodel over 100 stores?

That is going to cost a few bucks!

Nothing that $29 billion (http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Mobile-and-Wireless/Apples-Cash-Reserves-Offer-No-Hint-of-Future-Plans-521885/) in cash reserves can't handle :)

[Cameront9]

Remodel over 100 stores?

That is going to cost a few bucks!

Well, Apple is sitting on tons of cash.

The remodel is necessary in order to keep the store designs fresh.

Now where's my Waco Apple Store? :(

[MidiMonk]

Remodel over 100 stores?

That is going to cost a few bucks!

Well Apple has made a fortune off us with overpriced Ikea computing.Glad to see them waste $$$ in such hard times:rolleyes:

The cheapening of their components(No FW on most macbooks, adding the cost of FW800 to FW400 adapters just as examples) will add to their profits in the end.I sometimes wonder why I stayed a fan for so long:rolleyes:

[iGary]

Some stores are still using the old maple floor and Corian kidney tables.

Most stores get renovated to the "Version 2.0" with stainless steel, limestone floors and the Genius Bar toward the back.

[ast03]

an apple store in scottsdale, az would b sweet, which is a lot closer then south phoenix. besides people in scottsdale would make it worth while, they gotz money to spend.

[sammich]

5th Avenue...50k per hour...10 MBs, 10 MBPs, 5 MPs, and stacks of iPods, all flying out every hour. How big is the storage area??

Well Apple has made a fortune off us with overpriced Ikea computing.Glad to see them waste $$$ in such hard times:rolleyes:

The cheapening of their components(No FW on most macbooks, adding the cost of FW800 to FW400 adapters just as examples) will add to their profits in the end.I sometimes wonder why I stayed a fan for so long:rolleyes:

Someone has a chip on their shoulder...

But seriously, having just about the most successful retail chain in the world, they can't just sit back and enjoy the money flowing. Waste money? The only money wasted is anything not invested, the investment here is to keep up the foot traffic. First, if sales are slowing down a bit, it's better to do renovations now when it would affect the least people, and second, money spent will flow into the businesses who Apple contracted to do the work.

[funkdis]

Definitely needs more genius space. Here in Tokyo genius bar is always full, have to book at least a day or 2 sometimes in advance.

Apple could just make things easy to use or improve the quality so less items break then no need for a bigger genius bar.

[Virtuo]

Between the datacenters, store renovations, and upcoming stores, Apple's doing some serious spending -- which it can certainly afford. I'm glad to see that they're investing a large portion to improve their customer service, regardless of the fact that they have the best in the tech industry.

Oh, and APPL stock is back at around 143. I should have picked some up when it was under 100 a couple months ago. :-)

[DELLsFan]

So are they going to cut down on floor space or back room space? The biggest problem for me has been how cramped a lot of the Apple stores are.. it's not worth the hassle to go to a lot of Apple stores on Saturday/Sunday due to the volume of traffic!

Cramped stores, cramped trains, cramped buses ... perfect fit in China! Go go, Apple! :D

[NinjaHERO]

It will be interesting to see how all this additional space shows up in the same square footage. This must be some very efficient designing.

[seabiscuit]

I like the new designs and the fact that AAPL is investing in existing stores for more Genius space. I wish AAPL would bring a retail store to Lexington, Kentucky. Growing college town with access to I-75 and I-64 seems like a natural fit.

[gibbz]

Glad to see them waste $$$ in such hard times:rolleyes:

This is actually why Apple has been quite successful over the years.

As Steve Jobs once said: "The way to deal with a recession isn't to hunker down until the storm has passed, it's to innovate your way out of it."

The fact that Apple invests during hard times allows them to be that much further ahead of the competition once the hard times end.

[drakeshipway]

This is actually why Apple has been quite successful over the years.

As Steve Jobs once said: "The way to deal with a recession isn't to hunker down until the storm has passed, it's to innovate your way out of it."

The fact that Apple invests during hard times allows them to be that much further ahead of the competition once the hard times end.

Great point!
-
I'd love me some updated Sherway Gardens Apple store!

[shiseiryu1]

Is that article correct in mentioning that $400mil is 1/3 of Palm's 2008 revenue? I would be surprised if Palm made $1.2 million in 2008..much less $1.2 billion. Where have they been making their money? They haven't made a product worth buying in almost a decade. I guess they're getting heavy royalties for the "Treo" name...as I see that half the phones in their store are M$ based.

I'm happy that the Pre seems to be a good phone...although it's long overdue. Palm should have "Pre"empted Apple by making their phone before the iPhone. Shame that Palm didn't decide to innovate earlier (although I don't know if an iPhone wannabe qualifies as "innovation"). :)

[Chris Blount]

Apple already has a store in Sacramento. Seems unfair for a city to have 2 or more stores when many cities have none.

[MH01]

This is actually why Apple has been quite successful over the years.

As Steve Jobs once said: "The way to deal with a recession isn't to hunker down until the storm has passed, it's to innovate your way out of it."

The fact that Apple invests during hard times allows them to be that much further ahead of the competition once the hard times end.

This innovation better go beyond the Iphone. If next week is all about Iphone and 3.0, I call BS on the Statement, if you want to see innovation look at E3, Microsofts Natal project looks the goods.

Come on Apple, catching up on missing features in the Iphone is not innovating out of the recession. Lets see some SL loving, and make it good.

[bedifferent]

Nothing that $29 billion (http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Mobile-and-Wireless/Apples-Cash-Reserves-Offer-No-Hint-of-Future-Plans-521885/) in cash reserves can't handle :)

Forget revamping stores, how about spending some of that reserve for developing a desktop lineup that actually uses a desktop processor (nothing between the iMac and Mac Pro).

Also, I have read that the plans for the second store in China were rejected. Apparently they are re-working the design (which may not include the glass entry-way).

[iPhoneNYC]

There is a construction site on the corner of 67th and Broadway that has long been rumored as a new Apple store. Rumor has been in the NY Post stated it's the same design firm that has done other Apple stores. Any one have additional info on this one???

[bedifferent]

There is a construction site on the corner of 67th and Broadway that has long been rumored as a new Apple store. Rumor has been in the NY Post stated it's the same design firm that has done other Apple stores. Any one have additional info on this one???

No much. I know it used to be a Victoria's Secret, and will be the only Apple store in the UWS. I've forgotten about that location. Is there any official word from Apple about this new UWS location?

[baschdi]

the Beijing Store Concept looks awesome.

i wish they would open one in Stuttgart, Germany - Munich is so far away :D

[Bosunsfate]

I like the new designs and the fact that AAPL is investing in existing stores for more Genius space. I wish AAPL would bring a retail store to Lexington, Kentucky. Growing college town with access to I-75 and I-64 seems like a natural fit.

I thought the same thing. The SF Genius bar could use some more space as it is always packed.

Definitely needs more genius space. Here in Tokyo genius bar is always full, have to book at least a day or 2 sometimes in advance.

Apple could just make things easy to use or improve the quality so less items break then no need for a bigger genius bar.

Good point funkdis. Does the need for more genius space speak about a lowering of quality? In my opinion, not really. Since most of the time it seems to be just about helping people out. A really nice service no else offers...and for free too!



Oh, and APPL stock is back at around 143. I should have picked some up when it was under 100 a couple months ago. :-)

I totally agree which is why I picked up a bunch when it hit $80. Helps offset the stock I bought at $175! :D

[chucks]

an apple store in scottsdale, az would b sweet, which is a lot closer then south phoenix. besides people in scottsdale would make it worth while, they gotz money to spend.

Umm..

Apple Store Biltmore. 2430 E. Camelback Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85016 (602) 977-0285

It has been there for years. I can't believe you have been driving all the way down to chandler fashion square to go to an apple store. :)

[HailToTheVictor]

- The New York Post reported in a piece on New York City's Fifth Avenue shopping district that Apple's flagship store on the street was promoted by the building's owner as recording a staggering $440 million per year in sales. As Daring Fireball's John Gruber points out, the number is approximately one-third that of Palm's 2008 revenue for the entire company.

whoa. I bet that store alone will see more iPhones this year after the Pre is released than Palm sells Pres at all points of sale.

So that store makes about 50k per hour. That's a lot of Macbooks...

[Mr. Giver '94]

For a time, there as talk about adding one where I live. (Valencia, CA) :)

We are working on an enormous mall renovation and expansion project so I'm not sure if it was just wishful thinking or if they were actually planning on negotiating something.

[PharmD]

I just moved to the Sacramento area and was in the Galleria the other day. I asked a random store clerk if there was an Apple Store in the mall. All she said was "Soon!" but didn't say they were actually building one now! I'll be there Saturday at 10 AM for sure.

[igazza]

we have 5 apple stores in australia, hoping for more :D

[Beric]

That store looks so cool.

[ChoMomma]

Apple already has a store in Sacramento. Seems unfair for a city to have 2 or more stores when many cities have none.

You can't those from Roseville to squeeze their H2s, H3s, Suburbans, Escalades, Excursions, Navigators and Expeditions into the parking lot at the Arden Fair Mall!! Jeez.. :eek: ...besides.. Arden Fair is too close to the "city people" and those from Northgate....


They like it in their ultra new clean suburban communities with no character.

[Mattie Num Nums]

Good! Those stores are very poorly designed for the amount of traffic they receive!!!

[imfrog2002]

They just finished remodeling the Salt Lake Apple Store. I still haven't had a chance to get down there and take a look. I've heard it's a LOT nicer. They really needed more genius bar space. It was WAY too small for the amount of people using it. 3-4 days required sometimes. x_x

[angemon89]

You can't those from Roseville to squeeze their H2s, H3s, Suburbans, Escalades, Excursions, Navigators and Expeditions into the parking lot at the Arden Fair Mall!! Jeez.. :eek: ...besides.. Arden Fair is too close to the "city people" and those from Northgate....


They like it in their ultra new clean suburban communities with no character.Lol, I never thought I would ever read the word northgate on these forums. I used to live on (near) northgate.

The Roseville store is giving out free t-shirts to the first 1000 people. I would go but unfortunately I have to work. I'll probably go after work to check it out though.

This new store was definitely needed. Arden Fair is always overflowing with people. Sometimes they have 5 geniuses working at once to accommodate all the people waiting for their appointments.

[silentnite]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/06/04/apple-retail-store-news-roundup/)

Over the past few days, a number of items regarding Apple's retail stores have popped up, and we've collected some of them here for visibility and discussion.

- USA Today reported (http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/technology/2009-05-27-apple-expansion-plans_N.htm) last week about Apple's plans for its retail stores, revealing that Apple is planning to remodel 100 of its existing stores this year, in addition to the 25 new stores under development. Renovated stores will offer 50% more Genius Bar space and twice as much room for displaying products.

- The New York Post reported (http://www.nypost.com/seven/06022009/business/space_race_on_fifth_avenue_172089.htm) in a piece on New York City's Fifth Avenue shopping district that Apple's flagship store on the street was promoted by the building's owner as recording a staggering $440 million per year in sales. As Daring Fireball's John Gruber points out (http://daringfireball.net/linked/2009/06/03/fifth-avenue), the number is approximately one-third that of Palm's 2008 revenue for the entire company.

- ifoAppleStore points to (http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2009/06/03/second-beijing-store-design-revealed/) the online portfolio (http://www.studioshanghai.com/ar_bj_apple.html) of architect Ben Wood, which features a dramatic design for what is reported to be a new Apple retail store for Beijing, China. ifoAppleStore's sources report that construction is already underway at an unspecified location on Qianmen Street with a grand opening scheduled for later this year.


http://images.macrumors.com/article/2009/06/04/100543-apple_store_qianmen_500.jpg


- Apple will be holding a grand opening this Saturday for a new retail store in Roseville, California (http://www.apple.com/retail/roseville/), a major shopping hub in the Sacramento area. The new store will be located in the Westfield Galleria at Roseville, which is in the midst of a major expansion project.

Article Link: Apple Retail Store News Roundup (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/06/04/apple-retail-store-news-roundup/)

It's a great time for apple, now with all that being said has apple thrown it's loyal customers a bone. I mean after all the company is in a good position thanks to it's loyal consumer base.

Do not get me wrong, I'm a big believer in hard work pays off but at the same time, In the history of apples growth. I cannot say I remember this company ever given a reward in the form of a monthly sale, perhaps a computer designed around the higher in specs for a limited time sale.

Something to say we respect and appreciate our customers.

[charlituna]

So are they going to cut down on floor space or back room space? The biggest problem for me has been how cramped a lot of the Apple stores are.. it's not worth the hassle to go to a lot of Apple stores on Saturday/Sunday due to the volume of traffic!

i would imagine that there are limits to how much they can cut the back due to just how much space product takes up. and there are laws about access aisles and such that would stop too much cutting of the floor space.

so my guess is that the stores picked to upgrade are those where they can either lease out an adjoining space and expand or move to a new unit that has more space.

i think it could be brilliant. my local store is just barely big enough and there are two loser stores right next to it. if they went out no one would really care. Apple could take one of those slots and expand the store. or even just put the training and genius bar in that space (like an annex). getting away from the noise in the afternoons would probably be heaven for those folks. cause the place is always a mess with students from the two high schools nearby coming in and goofing off.

[ChoMomma]

Lol, I never thought I would ever read the word northgate on these forums. I used to live on (near) northgate.

The Roseville store is giving out free t-shirts to the first 1000 people. I would go but unfortunately I have to work. I'll probably go after work to check it out though.

This new store was definitely needed. Arden Fair is always overflowing with people. Sometimes they have 5 geniuses working at once to accommodate all the people waiting for their appointments.

I got a free 15" Powerbook at the Arden Fair store a few years ago right after the 15" 1.5Ghz / 1.67ghz G4's came out. One of the OS release events. : )

[BJB Productions]

The ones around me already got renovated...Haven't seen how they look yet.

[celtikmind]

Something to say we respect and appreciate our customers.

Because fulfilling any of the wishes some of their customers actually have been literally screaming for so long I can't remember when I first heard them was never a possibility, or what?

Guess I'm just tired reading about more AppleStore's in the States and so few in Europe. Heck, none at all in Scandinavia. Bleh @ :apple:

[081440]

Apple already has a store in Sacramento. Seems unfair for a city to have 2 or more stores when many cities have none.

Unfair? Maybe it's called the choice offered by capitalism. and sometimes those who don't have it have to suck it up. I don't think unfair is a fair word at all.

[fr33 loader]

The Roseville store is giving out free t-shirts to the first 1000 people. I would go but unfortunately I have to work.

Is this true? I might ask my wife to drop-by because I'm also working that day. Yay, a free shirt.

[ChoMomma]

Lol, I never thought I would ever read the word northgate on these forums. I used to live on (near) northgate.



iMac, MacBook Pro, iPhone 3G
Assembled in China


Hmmmm do you go to CSUS?

[gsfgf]

Is that article correct in mentioning that $400mil is 1/3 of Palm's 2008 revenue? I would be surprised if Palm made $1.2 million in 2008..much less $1.2 billion. Where have they been making their money? They haven't made a product worth buying in almost a decade. I guess they're getting heavy royalties for the "Treo" name...as I see that half the phones in their store are M$ based.


That's revenues, not profits. Just their sales, etc were (apparently) 1.2B.

And Apple needs to build a real store in Atlanta. The Lenox Mall one is just too small. And it would make money, everyone here has an iPhone.

[EricNau]

Can't wait for the Roseville location. I'll never have to park at Arden Fair again. Never.

[bedifferent]

That's revenues, not profits. Just their sales, etc were (apparently) 1.2B.

And Apple needs to build a real store in Atlanta. The Lenox Mall one is just too small. And it would make money, everyone here has an iPhone.

The only issue I would take is with Apple growing too big too quickly. GAP made this mistake with then CEO Mickey Drexler (who has been a director at Apple since 1999 and now CEO of J Crew). GAP grew too big too quickly in the '90's (with Old Navy, GAP, Banana Republic as their core brands) and as such the stock plummeted due to over-saturation. Slow and steady is the key to long term growth.

[marksman]

Microsofts Natal project looks the goods.

P.T. Barnum is smiling, just a little bit, right now.

[Mattie Num Nums]

The only issue I would take is with Apple growing too big too quickly. GAP made this mistake with then CEO Mickey Drexler (who has been a director at Apple since 1999 and now CEO of J Crew). GAP grew too big too quickly in the '90's (with Old Navy, GAP, Banana Republic as their core brands) and as such the stock plummeted due to over-saturation. Slow and steady is the key to long term growth.

Its funny you mentioned that. We called them Gapple's while I worked there. Seemed like every manager worked for the Gap or Pottery Barn.

[marksman]

The only issue I would take is with Apple growing too big too quickly. GAP made this mistake with then CEO Mickey Drexler (who has been a director at Apple since 1999 and now CEO of J Crew). GAP grew too big too quickly in the '90's (with Old Navy, GAP, Banana Republic as their core brands) and as such the stock plummeted due to over-saturation. Slow and steady is the key to long term growth.

The difference being that the Gap was a retail company, and apple is a hardware and software company who also owns retail stores to move its own products.

The tail does not wag the dog in this case, so it is not really that similar.

[angemon89]

Hmmmm do you go to CSUS?Yeah, I'm transferring there this fall. Going for business(accounting).

Is this true? I might ask my wife to drop-by because I'm also working that day. Yay, a free shirt.Says so in the email I got from Apple.

Come to the new Apple Store, Roseville, and bring your curiosity. It's the best place to learn all about the Mac, check out an iPod, and see all the amazing things an iPhone can do. And if you find something you like, you can even take it home that day. When you get to the store, find our Concierge in the orange shirt. The Concierge is your guide to everything from checking in for an appointment to instant checkout. And if you're one of the first 1000 visitors, you'll get a free Apple T-shirt.*

*No purchase necessary. While supplies last.

[twoodcc]

great store design. i really like the apple stores that i've been to, and hope to visit more of them

[celtikmind]

The difference being that the Gap was a retail company, and apple is a hardware and software company who also owns retail stores to move its own products.

The tail does not wag the dog in this case, so it is not really that similar.

Still, I also think Apple is growing too fast and that's rarely a good thing when it comes down to quality issues and such.

[007bond4321]

I'm looking forward to the Roseville store. Arden Fair is just too far out of the way. Also, for those that don't know, the Roseville/Lincoln, CA areas have been amongst the fastest growing in the nation this century (since 2000).

[fr33 loader]

Says so in the email I got from Apple.

Great. I'll let her check it out. Thanks for the info.

[ChoMomma]

Yeah, I'm transferring there this fall. Going for business(accounting).

Well, I'm a stereotypical MacUser...

I was a Graphic Design student....

I miss CSUS... sitting in the Union.. eating orange chicken with my cohort... :(

[lazyrighteye]

Maybe as long as two months ago, the Cherry Creek location (Denver) closed for about a week to remodel. The new arrangement has an improved feel, good flow (for the casual browser - not so hot for actual transactions), very open.

For starters, they moved all software, mice, keyboards, etc. from 2 rows of chest-high black shelving that ran through the middle of the space, to one tall shelving unit in the back-left corner. This frees up room for maybe six large tables that spaciously display their hardware. Again, feels great. A couple of the tables are dedicated to On-to-One types of services.

They also moved the checkout counter to the back wall, with a single checkout station awkwardly occupying a corner at the Genius Bar (seriously, that name is still embarrassing). There's no way finding that indicates that area as check out, making it a lot less intuitive than it was. Sure, there are the credit card-only roamers, but this location is always so busy, they can be difficult to track down (which is also a good thing, cough - AAPL - cough). As an example, I popped in one eve to grab a wireless keyboard. Knew exactly where it was located, walked right in, grabbed the device and then spent the next 20 minutes trying to give Apple my cash. Kind of annoying.

Other than that, the redux has a great feel and is a much better scenario for the casual browser - which is an important segment on which to focus.

[Cameront9]

Yeah, I'm transferring there this fall. Going for business(accounting).

Says so in the email I got from Apple.


FYI, Most if not all store Grand Openings do the T-Shirt thing...

[Jeonat]

Slightly OT but here across the pond in the UK they are opening a store later this year in my home town of Norwich which is about 100 miles East of London.(yay!). They haven't started doing any fitting or building yet so it is still something of a mystery as to exactly where it is going to be but they are recruiting now and I have an interview next week so feeling hopeful :-)

[bbotte]

I wish they would relocate our apple store here in Columbus, It is so small, I have been in bigger convenience stores at gas stations around here.

[casmith07]

Because fulfilling any of the wishes some of their customers actually have been literally screaming for so long I can't remember when I first heard them was never a possibility, or what?

Guess I'm just tired reading about more AppleStore's in the States and so few in Europe. Heck, none at all in Scandinavia. Bleh @ :apple:

store.apple.com :D

[MidiMonk]

5th Avenue...50k per hour...10 MBs, 10 MBPs, 5 MPs, and stacks of iPods, all flying out every hour. How big is the storage area??



Someone has a chip on their shoulder...

But seriously, having just about the most successful retail chain in the world, they can't just sit back and enjoy the money flowing. Waste money? The only money wasted is anything not invested, the investment here is to keep up the foot traffic. First, if sales are slowing down a bit, it's better to do renovations now when it would affect the least people, and second, money spent will flow into the businesses who Apple contracted to do the work.

Someone cannot take sarcasm to well either, Apple may be on my bad side right now so I can/will take shots them.My poor MBP has never been a complete product(Is still use it though) and I am entitled to being pi$$3d.

[Pandaboots]

The Plano, Texas store has already been remodeled. I was in there the other day looking for some Apple DVD's (which they no longer sell). Anyway, I'd say 4/5 of the store now has hardware out in the open on tables. They sectioned off iMacs from Macbooks from iPhones etc. The Genius bar was all the way in back and there were 4 shelf areas back there prob 10 feet long to house accessories, software, hard drives, etc.

It's an ok design, very hardware focused layout. Very simplistic. Interestingly enough, the software section in back was a lot smaller than before. That has me wondering about the possibility of an App Store for Macs - and why not? We can buy all other media as downloads. I see it coming soon...

[deconstruct60]

Unfair? Maybe it's called the choice offered by capitalism. and sometimes those who don't have it have to suck it up. I don't think unfair is a fair word at all.

If Apple is offering free , in person tech support to those with store ( it isn't really "free" you are paying for it with the device. ... or you think Apple is coughing this genius stuff for free; where is your capitalism then). So when there are folks who paid and don't get the service where is the fairness in that?

[KindredMAC]

I'm betting that Apple will just open a new store in Syracuse's Carousel Center/DestiNY mall when the new expansion opens up later this year/early next year.

Syracuse's store was one of the first "mini" stores and it is a royal PITA to go into to check out the newest machines or even to buy something.

It's always crowded with teeny boppers messing around with iPods or old folks buying up $3000 in gear and having this completely puzzled look on their face as the Apple sales staff tries to explain to them how to hook up an Airport station.

[casmith07]

Maybe as long as two months ago, the Cherry Creek location (Denver) closed for about a week to remodel. The new arrangement has an improved feel, good flow (for the casual browser - not so hot for actual transactions), very open.

For starters, they moved all software, mice, keyboards, etc. from 2 rows of chest-high black shelving that ran through the middle of the space, to one tall shelving unit in the back-left corner. This frees up room for maybe six large tables that spaciously display their hardware. Again, feels great. A couple of the tables are dedicated to On-to-One types of services.

They also moved the checkout counter to the back wall, with a single checkout station awkwardly occupying a corner at the Genius Bar (seriously, that name is still embarrassing). There's no way finding that indicates that area as check out, making it a lot less intuitive than it was. Sure, there are the credit card-only roamers, but this location is always so busy, they can be difficult to track down (which is also a good thing, cough - AAPL - cough). As an example, I popped in one eve to grab a wireless keyboard. Knew exactly where it was located, walked right in, grabbed the device and then spent the next 20 minutes trying to give Apple my cash. Kind of annoying.

Other than that, the redux has a great feel and is a much better scenario for the casual browser - which is an important segment on which to focus.

That sounds like the Apple Stores in northern Virginia, except every time I've bought something the Apple people have used a wireless device to check me out and e-mailed me my receipt. All they did was go to the back real quick to get me a bag and I was on my way out the door. Pretty cool.

[deconstruct60]

store.apple.com :D

is regional, by country. In some locations on the planet that doesn't get you to a website where you can buy something.

[butterfly0fdoom]

D: Come on, Apple, we need one in Taipei. :(

[fr33 loader]

Apple already has a store in Sacramento. Seems unfair for a city to have 2 or more stores when many cities have none.

It's not all that fun really. Don't you know how hard it is to choose between two nearby Apple stores? Hmmm... Decisions....decisions....:p

[casmith07]

is regional, by country. In some locations on the planet that doesn't get you to a website where you can buy something.

that's quite unfortunate. I guess the only option wold be an authorized reseller then?

[deconstruct60]

The difference being that the Gap was a retail company, and apple is a hardware and software company who also owns retail stores to move its own products.

The tail does not wag the dog in this case, so it is not really that similar.

Eh? The Gap didn't sell their own, made-by-contractors clothes?
Cause Apple makes all of their hardware .... hmmm, not.

Yeah there is a difference in that Gap sold clothes and Apple is selling hardware/software. However, what they are doing is not so far apart as you are making it out to be. The difference is that Apple allows other retailers to sell their product. That really doesn't do much for their retail operation. Narrowing down to the retail and company internal roles though... looks alot closer. Throw in website sales and looks even closer.

Even more so since Apple benchmarked themselves against Gap

http://www.ifoapplestore.com/stores/risd_johnson.html

And if recall correctly hired the firm that did construction for Gap for several of the first Apple stores.

[gsfgf]

The only issue I would take is with Apple growing too big too quickly. GAP made this mistake with then CEO Mickey Drexler (who has been a director at Apple since 1999 and now CEO of J Crew). GAP grew too big too quickly in the '90's (with Old Navy, GAP, Banana Republic as their core brands) and as such the stock plummeted due to over-saturation. Slow and steady is the key to long term growth.

True, true, but I'm dreading going there to get my Mom an iPhone next week. (or whenever the new one actually hits shelves). When I got my 3g, the crowd from the store took up like half the mall. Though i guess it is free advertising. People are there for pants and think either there's a riot or new Apple product.

[mwxiao]

Man! That store looks so good.

[MacVixen]

Even though it was just remodeled, I still want more space at the Valley Fair store. That place is CROWDED every single time I'm in there. 99% of the time I know what I want to buy - I spend more time finding someone to take my money than actually selecting my product :D

BUt I guess I can't complain too loudly as compared to others on here, seeing as how I also have Los Gatos, Oakridge (a joke it's so small) and Monterey to choose from as well... :o

[leonstafford]

I be thinking they must be expanding the product line to include a range of tablets or other devices which would require their own section in the store.

That or Americans are just getting too fat...:eek:

[jkdsteve]

Apple already has a store in Sacramento. Seems unfair for a city to have 2 or more stores when many cities have none.

The Arden Store is a great store but it's high time there was one in Roseville where all the newer development has been over the past 5+ years.

It's just a shame it's not in the new 'lifestyle' mall (The Fountains) as the Galleria sucks, a lot..but at least it now has one useful store :D

[jkdsteve]

You can't those from Roseville to squeeze their H2s, H3s, Suburbans, Escalades, Excursions, Navigators and Expeditions into the parking lot at the Arden Fair Mall!! Jeez.. :eek: ...besides.. Arden Fair is too close to the "city people" and those from Northgate....


Funny that as the only damage my poor neglected 4Runner has received is from that parking lot in Arden Fair when visiting the Apple Store :mad:

[Jeff_R]

I'm checking out the Santa Rosa Store opening......:cool::cool::cool:

It's gotta be bigger and better than the existing store there. The current one is so.....cute. I couldn't believe how small it was the first time I went in there. No Genius Bar or anything. Just a few tables with all the Apple goodies on them.

[ChoMomma]

Funny that as the only damage my poor neglected 4Runner has received is from that parking lot in Arden Fair when visiting the Apple Store :mad:

Yeah.. you need to always park over by Sears.. as far away from others as possible.

[Andrew K.]

We need a store on El Paso, TX we are like the 5th largest city here and no Apple Store :mad: LAME.

[Jeff_R]

Apple already has a store in Sacramento. Seems unfair for a city to have 2 or more stores when many cities have none.

Roseville is a different city, and the two stores are 10+ miles apart geographically. Roseville is probably the second highest population city in the area, and folks from Folsom, Rocklin, and Auburn all go shopping to Roseville now for what they can't get in their own cities.

Seems like I remember seeing for the new Folsom mall a plan for an Apple store as well...

Added: Here's the plan from General Growth Properties, the property manager for Folsom Palladio: http://www.ggp.com/Content/Data/PDF/156-SP1.pdf 4,300sf Apple store in Folsom, at least it was planned at some point.

[butterfly0fdoom]

Even though it was just remodeled, I still want more space at the Valley Fair store. That place is CROWDED every single time I'm in there. 99% of the time I know what I want to buy - I spend more time finding someone to take my money than actually selecting my product :D

Wasn't the Valley Fair store renovated last summer, though? It actually feels smaller IMO... : /

[roosta]

Apple already has a store in Sacramento. Seems unfair for a city to have 2 or more stores when many cities have none.

here in vegas we currently have three, with another on the way. oddly enough they're all on the same street - Las Vegas Blvd.

[Diode]

Apple already has a store in Sacramento. Seems unfair for a city to have 2 or more stores when many cities have none.

There's 4 within a 20 minute drive of me and another 2 about 40 minutes away.

Lots in the DC metro area. Would be another in DC itself but Georgetown doesn't want a glowing Apple display.

[synth3tik]

I want the Apple store on Grand in St. Paul. I want an Apple store that is NOT is a mall.

[UniPro]

You guys are all complaining about Sacramento having 2 stores. LOL Here in So Cal I have about 5 within a 45 minute driving range. Probably more but those five are the only ones that I've been too. lol

[Andrew K.]

I want the Apple store on Grand in St. Paul. I want an Apple store that is NOT is a mall.

At least you HAVE one! :(

[ChoMomma]

There's 4 within a 20 minute drive of me and another 2 about 40 minutes away.

Lots in the DC metro area. Would be another in DC itself but Georgetown doesn't want a glowing Apple display.

We could use one up here around Frederick/Hagerstown.. even one of their smaller stores would work.

[gauchogolfer]

It's gotta be bigger and better than the existing store there. The current one is so.....cute. I couldn't believe how small it was the first time I went in there. No Genius Bar or anything. Just a few tables with all the Apple goodies on them.

The mall Apple Stores always look this way to me too. Does this mean that SR will actually have a standalone store now?

[normwood]

I was in the brand new store in Zurich, Switzerland on May 16th. It had just opened the day before. It was incredibly modern looking with two floors. One on the ground floor and one down.

Steve

[Michael73]

I was just in my local apple store (Indianpolis - Keystone Xing) this morning for a business consult. The consultant and I got to talking about how busy the store is and whether there were any expansion or remodeling plans since this is the only store in the state. He said he didn't know of any but that he liked one of the apple stores in canada that was 2 stories with the main floor all sales and the upper floor dedicated to back office, tech support and training. The upstairs he said was nice and quiet and more conducive to learning and got all the people just clogging the sales floor waiting for a genius bar appointment out of the way. Sounds like a nice layout.

Personally, and I said this before, I'd like a store divided out between maybe home (mac desktops and :apple:TV), mobile (ipod, iphone and laptops) and business / professional (mac pro, pro apps, pro accessories) and then move all the tech and training to another spot like upstairs. Or another idea is all things mac (laptop / desktop) in one place, all things iPod another and all things iPhone a third.

[kingtj]

1. Yeah, what a WASTE of money, helping keep hundreds of people employed in the construction industry, which is one of the hardest hit in the current economy. That sure makes ME upset with Apple!

2. Yeah, it's absolutely CRAZY for a company to actually try to maximize their profits! You sure don't get that feeling from those quality thin plastic cases used on HP or Dell systems, do ya?


Well Apple has made a fortune off us with overpriced Ikea computing.Glad to see them waste $$$ in such hard times:rolleyes:

The cheapening of their components(No FW on most macbooks, adding the cost of FW800 to FW400 adapters just as examples) will add to their profits in the end.I sometimes wonder why I stayed a fan for so long:rolleyes:

[TYDZN]

I literally live across the street from the Galleria in Roseville. Happy Days!!!

[Burning Radio]

Some stores are still using the old maple floor and Corian kidney tables.

Like the Columbus, Ohio store (Easton). It's also showing it's age. Needs a simple refresh, especially the entrance. I'm just happy there's one near me. :p

[MacVixen]

Wasn't the Valley Fair store renovated last summer, though? It actually feels smaller IMO... : /

Yeah it was last summer..... it DOES feel smaller which is exactly my complaint. They should take over whatever store is next door, knock down the walls and EXPAND. Valley Fair is always always always crowded. I've been going to Los Gatos more as it's not quite as bad, though the parking sucks just as much in LG as at VF, lol.

[RosevilleMacGuy]

Here's a story on (http://rosevillept.com/detail/116140.html) the new Apple Store in Roseville, CA.

[JordanMacLover]

Hey don't forget that apple is putting a store in Ottawa Canada's nation capital! (I know most of you US people don't care but for me this is my dream.... kind of sad I guess)
It is going to be somewhere by the Rideau Centre.
:D

[serogers1970]

Yes...we have 2 in the area now. About 20 minutes apart.
When I was living in San Jose though, there were 4 within 30 minutes of each other.
It's not a matter of whether or not there is already one in an area, it's a matter of what kind of traffic they get. They are going to get SOO much more traffic here in Roseville, then they would in middle-of-nowhere, Montana.
This whole area over the past few years has probably tripled in size, if not more. This area is a rapidly expanding suburb of Sacramento.


Apple already has a store in Sacramento. Seems unfair for a city to have 2 or more stores when many cities have none.

[serogers1970]

Oh, and APPL stock is back at around 143. I should have picked some up when it was under 100 a couple months ago. :-)

I wish I never sold of the 20 shares I bought at $19 (prior to their last split and 700% growth....sigh):(

[serogers1970]

You can't those from Roseville to squeeze their H2s, H3s, Suburbans, Escalades, Excursions, Navigators and Expeditions into the parking lot at the Arden Fair Mall!! Jeez.. :eek: ...besides.. Arden Fair is too close to the "city people" and those from Northgate....


They like it in their ultra new clean suburban communities with no character.

OUCH! Someone has a bit of a green streak running through them, and is being quite the generalist!

[vjl323]

You guys are all complaining about Sacramento having 2 stores. LOL Here in So Cal I have about 5 within a 45 minute driving range. Probably more but those five are the only ones that I've been too. lol

I used to gloat that exact same thing when I lived in SoCal [1972-2004]. Now I live in the Asheville, NC area, and the closest one is 2 hours away. :(

Didn't there used to be a website that listed possible locations for upcoming stores? I'd love to know where the 25 they are building now are going to pop up!

/vjl/

[serogers1970]

FYI, Most if not all store Grand Openings do the T-Shirt thing...

I have one still in the mail-tube from when the Palo Alto store opened.
These things ever become worth anything???

[serogers1970]

The Arden Store is a great store but it's high time there was one in Roseville where all the newer development has been over the past 5+ years.

It's just a shame it's not in the new 'lifestyle' mall (The Fountains) as the Galleria sucks, a lot..but at least it now has one useful store :D

While the Galleria did just undergo a huge expansion (Tiffany's and other HIGH end stores) I too am surprised it isn't in the Fountains. Would have made a LOT more sense to put it there aesthetically, but more traffic in the Galleria vs Fountains.

[serogers1970]

Funny that as the only damage my poor neglected 4Runner has received is from that parking lot in Arden Fair when visiting the Apple Store :mad:

I always park way in the back, in the shipping/receiving nook between Nordstrom's and Macy's. Still a lot of cars there, but a bit more secluded.

I just hope Galleria has easier access to bringing in computers for repair then Arden does!
On that note...have they said if it'll be full service (repairs onsite) like Arden is?

[marksman]

Eh? The Gap didn't sell their own, made-by-contractors clothes?
Cause Apple makes all of their hardware .... hmmm, not.

The gap was a retail store. Sure they had clothes branded for them. I doubt they actually made any of their own clothes. Regardless, it is not the same thing. The Gap was a retailer business, and Apple is in the business of selling their own hardware and software. The Gap was in the business of selling other people's clothes. Just because it said Gap on it, did not mean they made it.


Yeah there is a difference in that Gap sold clothes and Apple is selling hardware/software. However, what they are doing is not so far apart as you are making it out to be.

Actually it is significantly different. Apple existed long before they ever had a retail store, and could continue to exist without a retail store. The Gap was a retail store.

That they hired someone who was experienced in running a retail business to help them with their own retail business is not surprising. But the retail stores are just a part of Apple not the whole thing, like it was with The Gap.

Of the last 5 major Apple purchases I made, 2 of them were made from Apple. Of the last 5 Gap purchases I ever made all of them were at the Gap.

[ChoMomma]

I literally live across the street from the Galleria in Roseville. Happy Days!!!

Tyler... you suck.

[doubleatheman]

I'm checking out the Santa Rosa Store opening......:cool::cool::cool:

We have one that's not in the mall? I hate that little mall store.

[bruinsrme]

Well Apple has made a fortune off us with overpriced Ikea computing.Glad to see them waste $$$ in such hard times:rolleyes:

The cheapening of their components(No FW on most macbooks, adding the cost of FW800 to FW400 adapters just as examples) will add to their profits in the end.I sometimes wonder why I stayed a fan for so long:rolleyes:

5th Avenue...50k per hour...10 MBs, 10 MBPs, 5 MPs, and stacks of iPods, all flying out every hour. How big is the storage area??



Someone has a chip on their shoulder...



I think Midi hit the nail on the head not a chip off the shoulder.

[Lynxpro]

Apple already has a store in Sacramento. Seems unfair for a city to have 2 or more stores when many cities have none.


The existing Apple Store in Sacramento [Arden Fair Mall] is crap. It is small, single story (on the second floor of the mall), and cramped. If you want to complain about cities with too many Apple Stores, I would complain about the Portland (Oregon) Metropolitan area. There's been 2 Apple Stores there for years and that Metropolitan area population wise is totally dwarfed by Sacramento. We also have 2 large universities in our area... UC Davis (my alma mater) and CSU Sacramento, not to mention several community colleges and private schools. We're also like, get this, the State's capitol city. So yeah, we deserve at least one decent Apple Store, if not two. If Apple was playing its cards well, they'd open a store in Folsom, one in Elk Grove, and then move out of the Arden Fair location and build a decent store in the North area...preferably in Natomas. The whole Arden-Arcade area of Sacramento is going under.

Apple also really needs to court the State's government IT employees better, but that's a whole different subject...

[NT1440]

My newly rennovated Apple store reopens today :)

[Lynxpro]

I just moved to the Sacramento area and was in the Galleria the other day. I asked a random store clerk if there was an Apple Store in the mall. All she said was "Soon!" but didn't say they were actually building one now! I'll be there Saturday at 10 AM for sure.


Is there any word of a drawing? I checked the website and there's no posting whether there will be a doorprize for opening weekend. I hope they are continuing the tradition...

[Lynxpro]

Is this true? I might ask my wife to drop-by because I'm also working that day. Yay, a free shirt.


I still have my t-shirt from the downtown San Francisco store opening.

[Lynxpro]

I always park way in the back, in the shipping/receiving nook between Nordstrom's and Macy's. Still a lot of cars there, but a bit more secluded.
I just hope Galleria has easier access to bringing in computers for repair then Arden does!
On that note...have they said if it'll be full service (repairs onsite) like Arden is?


I hate having to walk through JC Penny's to get to the store. I too park in the back.

[StuddedLeather]

::Sighs:: I hope they announce the Brooklyn store soon :(

[Pigumon]

Apple already has a store in Sacramento. Seems unfair for a city to have 2 or more stores when many cities have none.

Roseville is another city bordering Sac, and both of them are MAJOR suburban areas. So it makes sense, they are both HUGE malls that are packed daily.

Remember, Sacramento is the capital of California, it's not as tiny as you might think. Sac county has 1,394,154 people, that's a lot of ipods.

[seniorstinky]

Umm..

Apple Store Biltmore. 2430 E. Camelback Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85016 (602) 977-0285

It has been there for years. I can't believe you have been driving all the way down to chandler fashion square to go to an apple store. :)

They are opening a new store at Scottsdale Road and Greenway at the new Scottsdale Quarter. Job Ads are on Monster for this location.

[fef714]

So are they going to cut down on floor space or back room space? The biggest problem for me has been how cramped a lot of the Apple stores are.. it's not worth the hassle to go to a lot of Apple stores on Saturday/Sunday due to the volume of traffic!

Ya, I know some of these places have multiple levels, but the stores near me are little one room stores.

[furcalchick]

the apple store in wellington is being renovated right now and it's been closed since monday, opening back up on june 25th. if i remember right, it opened in 2002, one of the oldest stores on apple's lineup.

[AidenShaw]

the apple store in wellington is being renovated right now and it's been closed since monday, opening back up on june 25th. if i remember right, it opened in 2002, one of the oldest stores on apple's lineup.

Opened at 10:00 on 17 August 2002.

Why guess when a simple question to http://search.yahoo.com will give you the answer?

[fef714]

The closest Apple store to me closed down about ten years ago, it still has the rainbow Apple logo out front. lol

[Zincous]

WOO I was at the Apple store in Roseville this morning as it opened! I got a free shirt!! :cool:

[Goona]

I have 4 Apple stores close to me with a 5th opening soon (Toronto area).

[Jeff_R]

WOO I was at the Apple store in Roseville this morning as it opened! I got a free shirt!! :cool:

It was pretty cool to be there this morning as the store was opening, but not as many people as I thought. I got in the door of the store about 11:15 or so, and they still had plenty of shirts for the first 1,000 people. I guess when that's all you hand out, there's not much extra motivation to be there as when they did the goodie bags. ;)

[Zincous]

It was pretty cool to be there this morning as the store was opening, but not as many people as I thought. I got in the door of the store about 11:15 or so, and they still had plenty of shirts for the first 1,000 people. I guess when that's all you hand out, there's not much extra motivation to be there as when they did the goodie bags. ;)

I got in about 10:30. The line was out the door of the mall. Those were some happy and excited employees :p

[PharmD]

Isn't it weird that many of us were there, may have spoken to each other in line, but would never know that we were all macrumors users? Did you all see the proposal that occured? I have pics to prove it!

In case you missed it, as a guy and girl were walking into the store, the dude dropped to a knee and proposed. She accepted and the employees and spectators went nuts!

[Zincous]

Isn't it weird that many of us were there, may have spoken to each other in line, but would never know that we were all macrumors users? Did you all see the proposal that occured? I have pics to prove it!

In case you missed it, as a guy and girl were walking into the store, the dude dropped to a knee and proposed. She accepted and the employees and spectators went nuts!

Whoa I didn't see the proposal happen! That's pretty awesome lol. I was too far back in line :( Just thought the employees were going all crazy like they were the whole time. :rolleyes:

[LtCarter47]

Overall, nice store as usual. Little bigger than Arden, so that's cool. Good to have one within a 5 min drive now ;)

I got one photo off at about 9am before the two security guards came over to stop me (see them in a blur at the front of the store...)

http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/12286/Applestoreroseville.jpg

[PharmD]

Why would the security guards prevent you from taking photos? Everybody was.

[LtCarter47]

Why would the security guards prevent you from taking photos? Everybody was.


They were specifically targeting SLRs and other bigger cameras. I saw them turn away several others after I put my gear away.

[AidenShaw]

They were specifically targeting SLRs and other bigger cameras. I saw them turn away several others after I put my gear away.

Why didn't you point out that the mall was a public area, and the Apple goons had no right to falsely claim that picture taking from the outside was not allowed?

I would have continued to take pictures, even of the black shirts trying to stop me.

Apple is beginning to scare me. For a company that based the Mac on fighting "Big Brother", it's disturbing that they've become the essence of totalitarian rule.

[LtCarter47]

Why didn't you point out that the mall was a public area, and the Apple goons had no right to falsely claim that picture taking from the outside was not allowed?

I would have continued to take pictures, even of the black shirts trying to stop me.

Apple is beginning to scare me. For a company that based the Mac on fighting "Big Brother", it's disturbing that they've become the essence of totalitarian rule.

Well, the Westfield shopping center is technically private property, so they do indeed have the authority to enforce a policy like that. I do share your opinion though, my photography is strictly for my own enjoyment, and it poses little if any threat to the companies involved. That said, I wanted my shirt, so I put my camera away and got in line. ;)

[AidenShaw]

Well, the Westfield shopping center is technically private property...

That is debatable - but with the Westfield goons, not the Apple goons.

There also should be no difference between taking a picture with a crappy Iphone cameraphone and a good SLR.

Don't give up your rights without a fight!
_____

Be aware as well, that when Westfield allows unrestricted access to the public areas - they give up most of their "private property" rights pertaining to photography and the like.

Keep shooting pictures until someone with a government ID asks you to stop.

Do you think that Apple would want a news story about someone being arrested for taking pictures of an Apple event?

"Kodachrome! Give me a Nikon camera..."

[charlituna]

That is debatable - but with the Westfield goons, not the Apple goons.


As someone that works in a Westfield mall, I can tell you that their mall security are total jerks. they are all power tripping. so it's no shock that they or anyone hired by them to traffic control on mall property would pull a move like telling folks to put away cameras and such.

Apple would only care if the photography created a traffic problem and then only because they want as many folks as possible to enjoy the whole opening day experience. for that reason they might politely ask folks to keep the cameras to a minimum

[MacLady98]

I was surprised and happy when I walked into my local apple store and saw that they had moved things around. The didn't build it big enough in the first place, so it was hard to move around in the store. Now I can walk around in their on a busy day and not bump into people or worry about running over somebody's kid...

[Jeff_R]

In case you missed it, as a guy and girl were walking into the store, the dude dropped to a knee and proposed. She accepted and the employees and spectators went nuts!

I think I heard that from the back of the line. There was one celebration that seemed louder than the rest. No one back in my area of the line said anything about a proposal, so I don't think word got back that far.