Angela Ahrendts on Apple Retail Criticism: 'I Don't Read Any of it, and None of it is Based on Fact'

[x-evil-x]

Does she think that all criticism is baseless? I personally felt very lost last time I visited an Apple store.

I wonder how well you do at an ikea

The apple stores aren’t tricky to figure out. Everything is visible and open.

 

[JessWinter]

You can't know the facts if you ignore anyone who criticizes you.
Hence she's a liar claiming she "knows all the facts".

So many people defending her before because she's an "independent woman", bet they're not anymore.
What an ignorant person. No wonder she was fired, or shown the door.

Good luck @ AirBnB lmao oof.

 

[wesleypitts]

"I don't understand the question, and I won't respond to it." –Lucille Bluth.

Ahrendts' arrogance is at the core of why she was terrible in her job. If she doesn't see how the store experience degraded during her tenure, it's because she refuses to look.

Bye Felicia!

 

[s15119]

Personally, I love the Apple Stores. I always have a great experience there. I used them twice recently. Last weekend we went to one of the Honolulu stores to get my the battery on my wife's SE replaced. We made an appointment on her phone, it was quick, easy and the staff were helpful. I had a great time looking at gadgets while we waited. The store was full of happy people examining, product, learning skills and buying great products. When I recently got my new Mac Mini, I bought it to pick up at the store, again, it was quick, easy and I learned a few things I didn't know. I've never had a bad experience at an Apple Store. I think some people just like to complain.
[doublepost=1558744403][/doublepost]

You can't know the facts if you ignore anyone who criticizes you.
Hence she's a liar claiming she "knows all the facts".

So many people defending her before because she's an "independent woman", bet they're not anymore.
What an ignorant person. No wonder she was fired, or shown the door.

Good luck @ AirBnB lmao oof.

You will never know the success she has. Childish insults. yawn.

 

[duervo]

She doesn’t have to beat around the bush and say crap like, “I don’t read any of it, and none of it is based on fact” ... just tweet out “Fake News!” and leave it at that. It’s a totally accepted social norm now, and people will believe you.

 

[^^BIGMac]

how can she know if any of it is based of fact if she did read them

Because she’s full of it.

Good riddance.

 

[kingofwale]

If she doesn’t read any of it... then how the hell would she know if they are based on fact or not.

You sound like an idiot, Angela

 

[Virinprew]

Didn’t read but somehow knew they were not facts. Just saying.

 

[richpjr]

Denial is not just a river in Africa.

 

[cardfan]

I think that it is difficult to go through all criticism when you are responsible for a large company like Apple. That’s why you use internal and external surveys, mystery shoppers etc. But if your metrics are not set correctly, you will miss some important ones.

I was some time ago at an Apple Store to buy an iPad. I usually buy online, but I needed one the same day, so I went to the store. I knew exactly which model I wanted, but for some reason I was not able to reserve one. First I had to talk with one who had to talk to one employee to set up a reservation for someone who could sell one to me, when the seller was available around 20 mins later he had to find the model in their storage and then come back to me, and then I could walk out with my new iPad. It was cumbersome. I did get after a few day a questionnaire from Apple, but the questions was more directed towards how the employees interact, not at all about the flow and not much about the overall shopping experience.

I think one of the issues here is that I would agree that Apple is a luxury brand, but still they are widespread and popular. Especially the iPhone is a product which is widespread. That is where the mismatch comes. If you visit a Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany’s or any other luxury shop there are not many customers in there. And as a luxury brand you don’t need many to make a profit. Actually fewer customers keeps the exclusivity factor up. But if you want to visit the stores, although they want to sell, they are more than welcome to tell you about the products even when they realise you will not buy or even in the position to buy one. That’s because the shops work as advertising space, and the brand must be visible. Those who buy luxury products do it for the status, not just (or all) for the product quality in itself. So the common man need to know how to identify what is high status luxury. Apple is in a bit different position at least when it comes to the iPhone. While it started as a more exclusive model, it quickly became mainstream. It was the Ferrari but started to sell like Toyotas. Their retail stores should adapt more to that requirement. I don’t think creating the town hall meeting space is a bad idea, but when you want to buy something keep it simple, and likewise when you need help or repair.

Maybe I’m wrong but wasn’t she there for the gold watch? The stores within a store concept failed. They closed up pretty much. Trying to elevate Apple to fashion luxury simply didn’t take.

This was why she was brought in. It failed. Why she lasted 5 years is anyone’s guess besides it wouldn’t be politically correct to fire her. Not to mention the online only launches that marked her tenure. The lines stopped forming.

 

[Solomani]

Actually, she should have read them.

Reading and listening to others' critiques (assuming they are constructive criticism) is the first step to improving leadership skills.

 

[michaelsviews]

Watched the whole interview and she consistently contradicts herself. Amazing what Photoshop on her portrait. She got here salary and bonus's now she's done. Maybe jony ive will leave next
Walk into to an apple store and get sales people that are clueless, but they do still have some quality people. In our local store they have had numerous managers

 

[nicho]

The worst thing about Apple stores is when you are trying to buy something, and no one can help you, at a STORE lol. I remember I had to stand and wait for 20min to buy something, so absolutely ridiculous.

Same here. Maybe not quite as long a wait, but definitely 5 minutes before I got the floor overseer's attention and another 10 minutes before the minion he booked me an appointment with turned up. To help me.

If it wasn't for my education discount, I'd be an online-only shopper by now and wouldn't set foot in an Apple Store. When I do go in, I know what I want. I don't need the luxury store experience. Time is my luxury.

 

[DocMultimedia]

Talking about her is like me and the Dolphins from the 70s. You can talk, but there is no definitive answer. Just live with what you have now.

 

[MDF314159265]

In 2019, “facts” = one’s own accepted opinion.
Doesn’t matter who you are, what you are, blue, red, green, purple or pink - I think we can all finally agree on something - that this statement is “fact.”

 

[AustinIllini]

Watched the whole interview and she consistently contradicts herself. Amazing what Photoshop on her portrait. She got here salary and bonus's now she's done. Maybe jony ive will leave next
Walk into to an apple store and get sales people that are clueless, but they do still have some quality people. In our local store they have had numerous managers

I don't get that at all.

 

[JetTester]

"But when I cashed the checks, they didn't bounce, so it's all good".

 

[cicton]

Former Apple retail chief Angela Ahrendts today did an interview with Bloomberg, where she spoke about her time at Apple.

The opportunity to take the Apple Store experience "to the next level" and have a greater impact on surrounding communities was one of the reasons why Ahrendts joined Apple. She also cited programs like Today at Apple, designed to "help reskill the current generation," as factors in her decision to work for the Cupertino company.

Ahrendts said that looking back at her tenure, the redesign introduced at Apple retail stores around the world was one of her major successes, as were the Today at Apple classes.When asked about criticism of the changes that Apple put in place in its retail stores, Ahrendts said that she doesn't pay any attention to it. "I don't read any of it, and none of it is based on fact," she said. "It's everyone trying to find stories."

She went on to say that when she left Apple, customer retention rates were at an all-time high and loyalty scores hit historic highs. "I know the facts," said Ahrendts.

Ahrendts said that she has no regrets and there's nothing that she would have changed about her work, though she did wish she had moved faster. "We did a lot in five years, but I always challenge myself to move faster and do more," she said.

All in all, Ahrendts called her time at Apple "mission accomplished" because the company was able to reach the goals of its 5-year plan.Ahrendts left Apple in mid-April and has since joined the board of Airbnb. Her role has been taken over by Deirdre O'Brien, now Apple's Senior Vice President of Retail and People.

Ahrendts' full interview can be watched over on Bloomberg.

Article Link: Angela Ahrendts on Apple Retail Criticism: 'I Don't Read Any of it, and None of it is Based on Fact'

As a former employee, i can confirm she ruined the stores for everyone

 

[6502]

She was probably too busy counting her money to worry about any criticism. Now back to selling $820 Burberry unicorn hoodies (https://us.burberry.com/unicorn-print-cotton-hoodie-p80136021)

 

[ralpa]

Lady, you don’t have to read all criticism. But since there is so much criticism and applause when you left Apple, that means you failed.

The End.

 

[Alan-in-CO]

Well, aren't you special Angela? Guess that's why you get the big bucks /s

 

[NachoGrande]

She doesn’t read it yet knows it’s not based on fact

 

[SomeMacGuy]

"But they're not even stores, we call them town squares or gathering places because the entire community is welcome. [...]"

Didn't make it too far into the article, stopped reading after this statement. Try parking your hot dog cart or busking inside an Apple store and see how long you're welcome in the "town square"...

 

[JPSaltzman]

Maybe Jony Ivie can go with her. They both seem to share the same "I know what's best; I don't have to listen to anybody" attitude.

 

[FrEdwin]

Thank God Angela Ahrendts is gone from Apple Retail! under her leadership All Apple stores I visited went down hill with terrible service. The fact that she didn't read any criticism tells the whole story of her lack of skill in retail.