Tim Cook hired her to oversee retail, not just to launch the watch. She doesn't control supply and most likely has no say on launch dates. And I have no doubt all of these retail plans were ultimately approved by the entire executive team.
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Angela Ahrendts Updates Retail Employees on Apple Watch and MacBook Launch Situation
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Tim Cook hired her to oversee retail, not just to launch the watch. She doesn't control supply and most likely has no say on launch dates. And I have no doubt all of these retail plans were ultimately approved by the entire executive team.
50,000 MacBooks overwhelming? 
from a company who was never made computers before...right...lame excuse
from a company who was never made computers before
...right...lame excuseApple never promised a MacBook in store on launch day. They said it will ship on 4/10. They didn't say in stores 4/10. You have to read the fine print.
This is certainly possible too, a very limited number ready to go. Remember, some models were sold out 3 minutes after it went on sale.
50,000 MacBooks overwhelming?
from a company who was never made computers before
It's a new category and they sold out in a matter of hours for a 1400+ device. It's hard to argue with results like that.
I guess fom now on we do have to read the fine print. Launch day means nothing now.
She controls the fact that there are tables at the front of the Regent Street Apple store that have nobody standing at them, because people don't find looking at a watch behind a glass sheet very compelling - that's never happened before. The stores are literally 60% deader than before the Watch was announced. Takings must have collapsed.
She controls the fact half of the stores are plastered with hordings for a new Macbook no customers can see or buy.
If they say in stores on XX date then that's what will happen. It's as simple as that.
24th of April.
This is the official launch date, it means that customers will start to receive their watch from the date onwards.
There have been a few adjustments regarding this launch, which only unique for Watch. It's new release, new product, new category, more combinations and options to choose from than any Apple products.
Hence, it makes sense to opt for Online Order only to avoid nightmarish catastrophe on the the launch date. The store will eventually sell the watch in the future, but not until they resolve the supply constraint and fulfil most of the demands (and they are huge).
So Apple needs to make it as simple as possible. Delivery of the order will go straight to the postal address. No shop pick up means less inventory nightmare considering Apple has more than 1000 shops that start selling watch at 24th April. The employees at the store can then focus only on Watch workshops, software training and one-to-one appointment.
A long queue in front of Apple Stores does look good from marketing point of view, whether for pick up only or for purchasing. But from high fashion, it cheapen the products, and Apple want their Watch to be viewed as 'less-gadget-more-fashion', more than their other products.
Personally, I don't see a problem with this 'online-ordering-delivery-to-home'. It's only for those who think they deserve to get the watch FIRST has the problem with it. Hence, no "in-store purchase" on launch day hurts their ego.
This is the official launch date, it means that customers will start to receive their watch from the date onwards.
There have been a few adjustments regarding this launch, which only unique for Watch. It's new release, new product, new category, more combinations and options to choose from than any Apple products.
Hence, it makes sense to opt for Online Order only to avoid nightmarish catastrophe on the the launch date. The store will eventually sell the watch in the future, but not until they resolve the supply constraint and fulfil most of the demands (and they are huge).
So Apple needs to make it as simple as possible. Delivery of the order will go straight to the postal address. No shop pick up means less inventory nightmare considering Apple has more than 1000 shops that start selling watch at 24th April. The employees at the store can then focus only on Watch workshops, software training and one-to-one appointment.
A long queue in front of Apple Stores does look good from marketing point of view, whether for pick up only or for purchasing. But from high fashion, it cheapen the products, and Apple want their Watch to be viewed as 'less-gadget-more-fashion', more than their other products.
Personally, I don't see a problem with this 'online-ordering-delivery-to-home'. It's only for those who think they deserve to get the watch FIRST has the problem with it. Hence, no "in-store purchase" on launch day hurts their ego.
But Apple never really provided a launch day for the MacBook. All the press release said is it would be available FOR SHIPPING starting April 10. Apple never provided an in store launch date for the iPad Air 2 either. They announced it on October 16, said people could start ordering it online on the 19th and said it would be available "later next week". I don't remember people being up in arms about that. Having said that, I do think every store should have models on display for people to try out.
Right, so your anecdotal information from one store means the stores are dead now. All because one product happens to be behind glass.
Because there might be more people who would pre-order the device after they got to use it.
So don't worry that we are ending 'day of' opening sales, yet the last two are 'pre-order only'.
Yeah, I'm not finding her statement believable... The worst thing that Apple can do is lie about this. Either they will continue 'day of' sales, or they won't.
Two in a row after this 'decision' doesn't give me room to trust them.
But I guess, who cares... It'll just be back to pre-ordering stuff on websites that crash from the load.
Yeah, perfect plan for the future. As long as she lasts at Apple...
Yeah, I'm not finding her statement believable... The worst thing that Apple can do is lie about this. Either they will continue 'day of' sales, or they won't.
Two in a row after this 'decision' doesn't give me room to trust them.
But I guess, who cares... It'll just be back to pre-ordering stuff on websites that crash from the load.
Yeah, perfect plan for the future. As long as she lasts at Apple...
Right... Like she's responsible for manufacturing... Totally. That's were seemingly the issue is.
Apparently, 14 people did.
Reserving judgment until the product launches, I have faith in her, hopefully my watch arrives before the june estimate
So far so good
I am not too shocked at this upcoming launch. Apple has always had limited supply for quite a few of their products. Being online only didn't bother me as I prefer a product going to my house rather than having to drive to a store to pick one up. I prepared myself for the April 10th ordering process by understanding if my order didn't go through within the first few minutes I probably wouldn't be getting a watch on April 24th. I was able to order one on my iMac and had no issues except I foolishly ordered the wrong color band when I was in a hurry. Surprised to see this leak as I assume whoever was balls enough to leak it will be terminated if they get caught.
I am not too shocked at this upcoming launch. Apple has always had limited supply for quite a few of their products. Being online only didn't bother me as I prefer a product going to my house rather than having to drive to a store to pick one up. I prepared myself for the April 10th ordering process by understanding if my order didn't go through within the first few minutes I probably wouldn't be getting a watch on April 24th. I was able to order one on my iMac and had no issues except I foolishly ordered the wrong color band when I was in a hurry. Surprised to see this leak as I assume whoever was balls enough to leak it will be terminated if they get caught.
Since its a manufacturing/logistics issue mostly seemingly, Tim Cook should fire himself then... Or get Jobs to fire him from the other side of death...
Good luck for the replacement which wlll have to deliver nearly 400M devices next year...
Meh
What a colossal launch screwup. This is what happens when you loose control as CEO to Fashionista Retailers, and Form over Function Designers.
Many still miss you SJ.
What a colossal launch screwup. This is what happens when you loose control as CEO to Fashionista Retailers, and Form over Function Designers.
Many still miss you SJ.
What a colossal launch screwup. This is what happens when you loose control as CEO to Fashionista Retailers, and Form over Function Designers.
Many still miss you SJ.
SJ sold 3-4 times less products and he's dead. Get over it.
YEs, Apple is "doomed" because its products sell out within seconds no matter how many they produce, completely absolutely "doomed".