Because HR is. A mix of spying on all employees, dropping the coin on those who seem not the be in line and delaying everything vital to the company. That is HR.
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Angela Ahrendts Departing Apple in April, Deirdre O'Brien to Oversee Retail and People
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Most people order online now, and not just for Apple products.
Remember that most of Apple’s revenue is from a product (iPhone) sold mostly through third party channels. The Apple Retail stores don’t exist as the main channel for Apple’s other products. That’s mostly online now by design. They are essentially advertisements that pay for themselves through what sales do take place onsite.
Think she was meant to bring Burberry pricing to IT. Looking at the last iPhone and 1.5GB option MacBook air coming in at a whopping 3k I'd say she succeeded.
It's more than that. Apple employees used to get flown to Cupertino to learn Apple's culture and values, as well as what they need to know to do their jobs. Now (reportedly) they simply watch some videos and go on about their day. Much cheaper, but clearly less effective. I believe this happened on Angela's watch, so perhaps this will be a good thing. It all depends on her replacement.
About frakin time.. she was aweful destroyed apple retail in my humble opinion
As an older but long time Apple user I and many of my contemporaries miss the way the Genius Bar functioned in the past when I had either a software or hardware problem. An even bigger loss for older adults is the complete lack of teaching seminars on how to best use my Apple product. I am much more tech savvy than many of my friends and am constantly amazed at their knowledge gaps. I would try to help them, but often ended sending them to the Apple store to take a class. Maybe all you young’uns Know it all, but there are lots of older users who still need help that is no longer available
I am not sad to see Angela Ahrendts go. I feel like she took the company in the totally wrong direction by trying to promote and exacerbate the "luxury brand" cachet of Apple products, which is wrongheaded, IMHO.
I'm concerned that the head of People is taking over. HR + Retail is way too much for one person. Also, what do Retail operations have to do with HR? Judging from her bio on apple.com, Deirdre does have experience dealing with Sales channels and whatnot, so I hope it's enough for her to thrive in the role.
You really need someone who knows retail and the market inside out to have successful stores; it's not just something that anyone can do. Sears has learned this one the hard way.
I'm concerned that the head of People is taking over. HR + Retail is way too much for one person. Also, what do Retail operations have to do with HR? Judging from her bio on apple.com, Deirdre does have experience dealing with Sales channels and whatnot, so I hope it's enough for her to thrive in the role.
You really need someone who knows retail and the market inside out to have successful stores; it's not just something that anyone can do. Sears has learned this one the hard way.
My biggest gripe of hers was that she tried to push the Apple Store as a hangout spot. Most Apple stores aren’t in the middle of city squares but rather buried in suburban malls (where traffic is declining). Going to the Apple Store is more of a chore than anything. Hence, buying online makes more sense.
The people here at Macrumours are basically opposed to anything which doesn’t result in a new Mac Pro for them.
Bodybuilderpaul is probably a legit user but his posts read like an Angela sock puppet
Best news of the year! The new Apple Store in Scottsdale at Fashion Square mall is horrendous. Can't hear anything from the loud echo of the terrible design, too much space so that it looks like an empty store instead of actual products to sample and experience, employees frazzled 100% of the time, and of course no name tags since Angela took those away on day one I think. Happy she's leaving.
(Holding 4 iPhones) How many iPhones am I holding? And if Apple says that it is not four but five?
That is true indeed.
The number of actual customers who are disappointed has been increasing massively.
At least this is what I believe.
There was a really big wave of people buying Retina MacBooks in 2012 and maybe until 2014.
They were all excited. Even with the pricing that already was high.
I lot of people switched, at least in my area of work.
Couldn’t disagree more with this assertion. Genius Bar appointments went from readily available and prompt to many days in the future and still waiting around for at least 15 mins after your appointment time.
As for product launches, this year’s XS and Watch 4 was a nightmare. They had those of us who just wanted the watch - which you should be able to just snag off the shelf - waiting in the same line as people getting phones which take 2 mins to activate, etc. That’s just plain dumb.
Don’t forget the glasses.
NEVER forget about the glasses!
But in reality, the Apple store experience is something to dread, not something to be excited about - imho.
The main reason I order online is the return policy.
There is a electronics chain here that sells Apple products and I could easily pickup anything.
But I don't, because I know I have to argue for hours if I want to return a purchase.
Deirdre O'Brien must be an incredible worker to survive working for FIVE Apple CEOs over the past 30 years.
I haven't found that true at all.
If I need to purchase something, ask questions, etc., whether it's for a phone, computer, or accessory, I just grab the nearest employee. I have yet to encounter an employee who can only help with a specific product ine.
Happy news for all Apple retail employees as well as all customers who shop at Apple retail stores.
I hope Ms. O'Brien is able to undo much of the damage Ahrendts did quickly. Burberry is still just a shadow of its former self. Hopefully Apple recovers from her incompetence faster.
I hope Ms. O'Brien is able to undo much of the damage Ahrendts did quickly. Burberry is still just a shadow of its former self. Hopefully Apple recovers from her incompetence faster.
You nailed it.
Apple stores have long lost their magic, and they’re miserable places I avoid if possible.