Very difficult statement to measure.
I think she was OK, but the stores were a zoo because she failed to separate service and sales. I still think that's a mistake because going into an Apple story is too chaotic. I blame her.
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Angela Ahrendts Officially Leaving Apple Today
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I think she was OK, but the stores were a zoo because she failed to separate service and sales. I still think that's a mistake because going into an Apple story is too chaotic. I blame her.
Not sure all of the bad store experience I have had is her fault.
Think part of the problem is that they have been increased their customer base faster than they have opened new stores. Then the stores become over crowded. And therefore horrible to visit. I hate visiting my local Apple store.
Think part of the solution is to let third parties do more servicing. Increase the network of places where we can get help with things that does not need the Apple store.
That bloody iPhone 6 battery saga must have put a lot of pressure on the Apple stores for example. Can’t blame the shop/store/square team for that.
Considering how many companies and leaders have messed up and failed totally in retail the last decade I would say she’s done alright.
Think part of the problem is that they have been increased their customer base faster than they have opened new stores. Then the stores become over crowded. And therefore horrible to visit. I hate visiting my local Apple store.
Think part of the solution is to let third parties do more servicing. Increase the network of places where we can get help with things that does not need the Apple store.
That bloody iPhone 6 battery saga must have put a lot of pressure on the Apple stores for example. Can’t blame the shop/store/square team for that.
Considering how many companies and leaders have messed up and failed totally in retail the last decade I would say she’s done alright.
I don’t know who started that rumor, but that had approximately a zero percent chance of happening. Jeff Williams is the heir apparent, but Cook will be there for years to come; I don’t see him retiring anytime soon.
As someone who worked for Apple for 7 years (and about a year into her tenure IIRC) I have a few observations:
She didn't "ruin" the experience so much as fail to fix it.
Everyone clamoring for pre-iPhone experiences doesn't realize that it just won't happen - simply put, Apple continued to grow their customer base at a HUGE rate so many things HAD to change.
I don't recall when the stores went to all same-color shirts (It may have been at the end of Johnson's tenure or during Browett's). It was said "customers have given us feedback that they don't like seeing different shirts for Genius employees (etc) because they can't tell who can help them." Apple's solution was to give everyone the same color shirt - problem is the foundation issue wasn't changed - the geniuses still couldn't check someone out, for example, but now the perception was that there are several people that are standing around not helping when they are actually doing their jobs." IMHO the stores need(ed) MORE delineation to simplify the experience.
I don't think Angela had the background experience to match the needs of the stores, simply put. Genius "Groves" (ugh, gag me with a chainsaw) don't help these issues. Likely what needs to happen is to have a store next door (or something very clearly cordoned off) for support and one for sales. Apple continues to try to get around that, but IMHO is the core many of the in-store issues.
She didn't "ruin" the experience so much as fail to fix it.
Everyone clamoring for pre-iPhone experiences doesn't realize that it just won't happen - simply put, Apple continued to grow their customer base at a HUGE rate so many things HAD to change.
I don't recall when the stores went to all same-color shirts (It may have been at the end of Johnson's tenure or during Browett's). It was said "customers have given us feedback that they don't like seeing different shirts for Genius employees (etc) because they can't tell who can help them." Apple's solution was to give everyone the same color shirt - problem is the foundation issue wasn't changed - the geniuses still couldn't check someone out, for example, but now the perception was that there are several people that are standing around not helping when they are actually doing their jobs." IMHO the stores need(ed) MORE delineation to simplify the experience.
I don't think Angela had the background experience to match the needs of the stores, simply put. Genius "Groves" (ugh, gag me with a chainsaw) don't help these issues. Likely what needs to happen is to have a store next door (or something very clearly cordoned off) for support and one for sales. Apple continues to try to get around that, but IMHO is the core many of the in-store issues.
And here I thought she was next in line for CEO, or at least near the top of the succession plan in case something happens to Cook. She was the only top exec at Apple who had CEO experience running a public company with global brand recognition. Say what you want about the stores, but they grew in total revenue and are still at the top of revenue per square-foot metrics among large retail operations.
lol @ anyone who liked what she has done.
This was the woman behind the Apple Watch launch experience: none for sale in Apple stores, you had to go to other snobby boutiques like Maxfield, etc.
She was behind the new queue system. How you get lined up like cattle as soon as you enter, and are moved from there, to a table and told to stand there and wait.
Employees at retail stores got ruder, and more Rodeo Drive-like. I can't count the number of times I asked an employee who was just standing around, doing nothing, if he could help me, and he said "no, sorry, you have to wait for so and so..."
She came from Burberry, and made Apple more like Burberry and all those other snobby stores. trash.
Before her, I never had a problem with a single retail store experience or employee. After, I can name 4-5 bad experiences.
This was the woman behind the Apple Watch launch experience: none for sale in Apple stores, you had to go to other snobby boutiques like Maxfield, etc.
She was behind the new queue system. How you get lined up like cattle as soon as you enter, and are moved from there, to a table and told to stand there and wait.
Employees at retail stores got ruder, and more Rodeo Drive-like. I can't count the number of times I asked an employee who was just standing around, doing nothing, if he could help me, and he said "no, sorry, you have to wait for so and so..."
She came from Burberry, and made Apple more like Burberry and all those other snobby stores. trash.
Before her, I never had a problem with a single retail store experience or employee. After, I can name 4-5 bad experiences.
All this crap about "in store experiences" and community gathering spots... I don't get it. I don't go to an Apple store unless I need something, and in that case I just want to get it—be it a product or repair/support—and move on with my life.
To me, the ideal retail experience is one that is entirely forgettable—no fuss, no hassle, no delay.
Bubbye, Angie.
To me, the ideal retail experience is one that is entirely forgettable—no fuss, no hassle, no delay.
Bubbye, Angie.
If, by experiences...you mean horrible experiences...then, yes! She excelled at her job.
I never said she excelled at her job. I also never said she nailed the implementation of her vision. Just that her vision was the right one for future retail. What she was trying to achieve is what more high-street retailers should also be aiming for to survive.
Agreed ... she was making strides and cut-off short.
'14 karat gold Apple Watch in 2015" definitely NOT her fault for failed product ... it was overhyped and priced ridiculously and that is ALL Ive's fault!
I had thought so too yet other details say compensation and higher learning to move into other areas was restricted by other heads of retail.
cervix, really? I think maybe it was your ears but I don't really know about that.
- Stores NEEDED, desperately needed a BIG change from he old. Having more open spaces in the larger income generating stores and in older locations where historical landmarks would be restricted to Apple by governments required innovative design. Apple is first and foremost about design and being accessible to people = from macOS 1 having the BEST fonts on computing systems to Art to liberal arts to now the UI design in everything they make.
(you must be very young to have not realized this great importance FAILED in the older traditional Apple stores that reflected the same image from when Apple Store debuted from Jobs first walk around).
> She was restricted because CEO does NOT like change that hurts bottom line too much.
Yet now Stores of gallery areas where people can engage with the technology they own or interested in and see the software work with free training seminars. Walk about to learn how to use software and your camera on iPhone. Professionals paid, to come in to help YOU, THEY, THEM, or I learn to be more efficient and effective in the tools we use and own or help spark future purchase because you NOW KNOW how to use them .. not just a silly recommendation based on statistical data which AI can do.
I feel there is a lot more contributions she's done yet not highlighted in this or previous articles on MacRumors or by Apple.
Now we have Deidre ... an HR person with some retail management expertise ... this is not retail, but retail management ... lets go backwards or will Angela's future plans still come about here?
Like what experience?! What experience was there to walking into a store ... waiting 5 mins to get past the greeters and then waiting longer to try out products and with NO space to try products out or having lessons?!
I was a little late to the Apple "life" and I *think* my first in-store experience was prior to Ahrendts getting the job. It left me thinking that it felt like a zoo with no sense of order. After her taking over, it felt the same. So I'm honestly not sure what she changed.
But she looks pretty hot in that photo. How many years ago was that photo taken?
I don't think I can blame her, though...the overly-simple layout of an Apple store reeks of Jony Ives. If that's the case, I suspect she wasn't given much ability to enact any significant changes.
But she looks pretty hot in that photo. How many years ago was that photo taken?
I don't think I can blame her, though...the overly-simple layout of an Apple store reeks of Jony Ives. If that's the case, I suspect she wasn't given much ability to enact any significant changes.
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Good riddance. Between her and the long departed John Browett, they turned my local Apple stores into shiny branches of PC World.
Her store redesigns are also shocking, the main Glasgow store is now a cramped single level store with no actual Genius Bar any more.
Her store redesigns are also shocking, the main Glasgow store is now a cramped single level store with no actual Genius Bar any more.
I hope this is a sign that Apple is moving away from attempting to be a fashion brand and moving back to being an independent thinking tech company.
Darth Tulhu
macrumors 68020
The other side of that theory is that maybe the service part also became chaotic when the products started declining in robustness, user-friendliness, accessibility, and intuitiveness, thus necessitating MORE intervention from Apple in some way.
They’ve survived and grown financially with many questionable design decisions after 2013, what’s one more questionable decision?
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If she’s responsible (to blame) for the space wasting, less-detail-providing refurbished store online store interface, then I hope her replacement fixes it back.
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Good riddance. She completely ruined the Apple Store. As a young teen, I used to love going to the Apple store and getting accessories and talking about technology with the employees. Beyond it being a business, going to Apple was a pleasure of mine as I knew I would get something to go with my devices, or look at what was 'new' in technology. Nowadays, it's a headache simply to check-out an item.
WHEW! Those cubicles she put in-store are horrific, the geniuses are aimlessly looking for you all over the store and I dunno, the store just lost a lot of personality. There is no reason in visiting an Apple store anymore. I avoid them now.
WHEW! Those cubicles she put in-store are horrific, the geniuses are aimlessly looking for you all over the store and I dunno, the store just lost a lot of personality. There is no reason in visiting an Apple store anymore. I avoid them now.