Apple Retail Stores in Australia?

[MacRumors]

Several sources have informed AppleInsider that Apple plans to open at least two of its own retail stores in Australia this year, starting with stores in Sydney and Melbourne.

The Apple Australia event for Apple's business partners on January 12 was rumored to be a possible sign that the iTunes Music Store would open in Australia. Now there is another possibility: retail store announcements.

There are currently Apple retail stores in 29 U.S. states, as well as Tokyo, Osaka, and London.

[Capt Underpants]

Well congratulations to the Aussie's. I'm sure alot of australians on this board will be happy if this rumor comes true ( like Aswitcher).

[technocoy]

i really feel good about the next few years for apple. they are making some good moves. if even half of the rumors are true this week (and indicative) this is going to be a very good year for apple!

[sjpetry]

Now I have a reason to go to Australia and visit my cousins.

[Devie]

I never knew apple where going good enough here to open stores...
Ahwell, woo . I hope they build one in Adelaide soon to

[swissmann]

How about retail stores in Utah. Is there a map that shows the locations of current stores?

[DPazdanISU]

this will definately help apple with mac/ipod sales. It's always good to have a store with personell that know what they are talking about too

[Doctor Q]

Originally Posted by swissmann

How about retail stores in Utah. Is there a map that shows the locations of current stores?

For the U.S....

http://images.apple.com/buy/images/retailmap012104.gif

[Hewy01]

I'm sure the Apple store in Sydney will improve sales and help promote the brand. Apple in Australia need to seriously improve some other aspects of their business however.

Most of the resellers in Sydney for Apple have atrocious service - especially when it comes to repairs and support (even simple stuff takes forever and costs a fortune). The dorks wearing headsets at the Apple stores could dearly use some customer service training.

It is a good thing that Apple's products kick-butt in the quality and reliability stakes because if we had to deal with these turkeys on a more regular basis it would drive us nuts.

[Wonder Boy]

Originally Posted by Doctor Q

For the U.S....

http://images.apple.com/buy/images/retailmap012104.gif

we need a third on connecticut. im sick of going over the river. that 15 minute drive kills me. there's a ritzy outside mall 3 minutes away from me that would be PERFECT for a mini apple store.

im kidding about the 15 minute drive killing me, but im serious about the mini store. it would fit in nicely.

[k28]

where is it going to be? I think it passiblely locate at world tower. What do you think?

[bennyek]

Originally Posted by swissmann

How about retail stores in Utah. Is there a map that shows the locations of current stores?

Apple plans on opening a store in Salt Lake city at the GAteway center downtown ibn a few months. (Spring or Summer)

[Jedda]

Wowsers.

I would kill to get a job at the melbourne apple store.

Absolutely kill.

[virividox]

open one in HONG KONG!!!

[Frozone]

Where is the announcment for the Mini in Tallahassee, Florida. Please Apple! PLEASE put a mini in Tally. All the mac placs in South Georgia and North Florida sucks.

[h'biki]

Originally Posted by Macrumors

The Apple Australia event for Apple's business partners on January 12 was rumored to be a possible sign that the iTunes Music Store would open in Australia. Now there is another possibility: retail store announcements.

Apple Stores in Australia isn't a possibility - it's a fact. Apple has been squeezing the life out of the resellers here over the last year. "Sell more product, or we charge you more for it".

Incidentally, PayPal is now available in Australian dollars. It may be sheer coincidence, but it does lend weight to the idea that iTMS will be available in Australia.

[Disko]

Isn't it annoying when you're half way through breaking a story when appleinsider scoop you.

http://www.appletalk.com.au/

[cazlar]

I hope it's true. I think a good spot would be somewhere on Pitt Street, would get lots of traffic there, but I'm not sure how big the floorspace would need to be. Maybe they could kick Swatch out of their prime spot on the corner :-)

[urbangrind]

Originally Posted by Hewy01

I'm sure the Apple store in Sydney will improve sales and help promote the brand. Apple in Australia need to seriously improve some other aspects of their business however.

Most of the resellers in Sydney for Apple have atrocious service - especially when it comes to repairs and support (even simple stuff takes forever and costs a fortune). The dorks wearing headsets at the Apple stores could dearly use some customer service training.

It is a good thing that Apple's products kick-butt in the quality and reliability stakes because if we had to deal with these turkeys on a more regular basis it would drive us nuts.

I agree! Here in Brisbane the service is shocking. I would convert about 10 people to macs a year, and I have to take them to Apple shops and do the sell myself, otherwise some other twit will screw it up.

I am concerned that this Apple Australia event might not me iTunes music store, but I would be happy to see the new retail stores. I hope Apple puts one in Brisbane. Then we wouldn't need to go to any of these other shops that don't deserve our business.

To be fair though: Apple New Farm is ok, if you can be served by Lucile, otherwise The Music Lab is where I like to take people if we already know what we want, otherwise they basically sell music products and macs as a side thing.

Apple Australia does need a shake up.

[walexx]

Ive always said an Apple Store in the city would be awesome. I think the perfect location would be Victorias Galleries. It has that elegant Apple feel about it. If only Freedom where not there, that would be the perfect spot.

Otherwise Pitt Street Mall is definately the prime spot. I hear there will be alot of work going on there with the redevelopment of Centrepoint and some towers going up, so who knows.

All you Sydney siders, where do you think would be the perfect Apple Store location ??.

[devman]

(sadly) this is much more believable than ITMS for Australia (please, please can't we have both :-)

I hope a Melbourne store is announced at the same time rather than just soul-less Sydney ;-)

[restless~native]

Originally Posted by bennyek

Apple plans on opening a store in Salt Lake city at the GAteway center downtown ibn a few months. (Spring or Summer)

If this is true, I'll be sooo happy that I might cut my hair and go back to church.

If not, I'll continue my downward spiral, sipping Chai at the Liberty Park Beans & Brew on the Sabbath while reading the City Weekly.

[oingoboingo]

Originally Posted by walexx

Ive always said an Apple Store in the city would be awesome. I think the perfect location would be Victorias Galleries. It has that elegant Apple feel about it. If only Freedom where not there, that would be the perfect spot.

Otherwise Pitt Street Mall is definately the prime spot. I hear there will be alot of work going on there with the redevelopment of Centrepoint and some towers going up, so who knows.

All you Sydney siders, where do you think would be the perfect Apple Store location ??.

Westfield Parramatta! Macquarie Centre! Marrickville Metro!

Actually I think the best location would be the approximately bathroom-sized Apple dealer on the Randwick UNSW campus. I don't think I've ever seen a smaller computer shop. 2 customers and it's full.

Errr...seriously for a second, yeah Pitt Street Mall would be good simply because of the huge pedestrian throughput.

[Abstract]

I don't know Sydney too well, but anywhere near Pitt St would be good. If they're going to put it in a shopping mall, Westfield is quite fancy shmancy.

If they put it in Wollongong, I'd be f***ing shocked.

MAC1 has horrible service. I think they work on commission and would tell you anything to sell you something. There's only 1 real Apple reseller in the 'Gong, and I go in there regularly enough that 2 of the full-timers will recognize me and always try to help me, since I'm familiar with them. Problem is that I think they're complete morons, and I know more about their product than they do. That's a problem not only to other customers, but because I don't know too much about Macs when I look at some of you guys.

I look ace when I talk to them.

[Rod Rod]

I'm guessing King's Cross in Sydney. It's just slightly more likely than Wollongong, or Penrith even. Speaking of Penrith, Apple's a little late to take over main sponsorship of the Panthers, but maybe they'd like to do that for Wests Tigers soon.