Apple Expecting to Reopen 'Many More' Stores in May

[MacRumors]

Deirdre O'Brien, Apple's vice president of retail and people, today told Apple employees that "many more" Apple Stores are set to start reopening in May.

O'Brien made the comments during a weekly video update shared with staff, according to Bloomberg. "We are continuing to analyze this health situation in every location, and I do expect we will reopen up many more stores in May," O'Brien told staff. Apple did not specify which stores would be reopened, or the regions where the stores would reopen first.

In March, Apple's retail chief Deirdre O'Brien said that Apple planned to begin opening some stores worldwide in the first half of April, and one lone store in South Korea was indeed opened again on April 18 for repairs and purchase pickups. No other stores have reopened at this time, and a separate retail source said told MacRumors that Apple is aiming to open stores in North America by mid-June.

When stores start reopening, Apple will take into account local conditions and recommendations. Some states in the U.S. have already begun relaxing their social distancing guidelines and allowing businesses to reopen, while others have extended shelter-in-place orders.

Texas, Georgia, and Tennessee, for example, are letting stay at home orders expire, while the Bay Area, where Apple is located, has extended its shelter-in-place order through the end of May. Apple will need to follow state restrictions and guidelines as stores begin to reopen.

All Apple Stores outside of Greater China (and the reopened South Korea location) have been closed since March 14. Over the course of the last few weeks, retail employees have been returning to work through training and meetings at home, while others have been handling online and phone support technical requests.

Article Link: Apple Expecting to Reopen 'Many More' Stores in May

 

[I7guy]

Not in New Jersey. Stay at home extended indefinitely.

 

[tCdemon]

I have a feeling a lot of places are going to reopen next month...hopefully they still continue to implement social distancing and limit how many people inside the store at any given time.

 

[RevTEG]

Wait??? Bay Area has extended until the end of May? I live in San Jose, not far from Apple HQ and haven‘t heard the shelter in place was extended? I’m certainly not against it being extended, it just would have been good to hear that from an official.

 

[lkrupp]

I have a feeling a lot of places are going to reopen next month...hopefully they still continue to implement social distancing and limit how many people inside the store at any given time.

Why does this concern you? You have the choice to not enter any Apple Store. You are free to stay isolated in your bunker for as long as you want, peaking out of your window from time to time to see if people are still alive. So why would you care who enters the stores or how many do so? As long as you stay isolated you’re safe, right?

 

[danny842003]

Why does this concern you? You have the choice to not enter any Apple Store. You are free to stay isolated in your bunker for as long as you want, peaking out of your window from time to time to see if people are still alive. So why would you care who enters the stores or how many do so? As long as you stay isolated you’re safe, right?

Because social distancing is pointless on an individual level. Individuals can’t stay isolated forever but communities can reduce risk for everyone.

 

[imageWIS]

"Texas, Georgia, and Tennessee, for example, are letting stay at home orders expire"

Of course they are

 

[anthogag]

Limit people in stores to 1/4 fire code maximum occupancy.

 

[DeepIn2U]

Not in New Jersey. Stay at home extended indefinitely.

That’s is the wise move.

some thoughts (not directed to you of course) in even real. I still think those that relax social distancing this early is going to regret a resurgence of covid-19, and some serious lawsuits will begin and it will not just be Apple or other businesses but state governors as well. Yes business and the economy needs to get back to a normal GDP yet not at the sake of people’s health.

Article:
“Apple will need to follow state restrictions and guidelines as stores begin to reopen.”

common sense:
“Apple must follow state restrictions and guidelines as stores begin to reopen.”

Taxes have been paid and collected and reinvested by the Fed for just such contingencies and eventualities that we’re all regrettably going through.

I just pray the worst of this has passed us all across the globe.

Stay healthy, safe, and compassionate everyone.

 

[now i see it]

In the USA at least, every state has up to 10X more CoV cases than they had six weeks ago. Nothing has gotten better in that respect - just a lot lot worse. And a month from now all those numbers will at least double. So let's start opening stores.
But I guess it doesn't matter. Who in their right mind would want to go into one?

 

[Metrosey]

Please don’t reopen them, you aren’t a critical service.

 

[fairuz]

But I guess it doesn't matter. Who in their right mind would want to go into one?

The same people in my apartment complex who have been throwing parties with guests regularly within the past month. Besides, many care but will see stores opening as an indication that it's ok to go shop.

 

[Icaras]

Wait??? Bay Area has extended until the end of May? I live in San Jose, not far from Apple HQ and haven‘t heard the shelter in place was extended? I’m certainly not against it being extended, it just would have been good to hear that from an official.

Bay Area counties to extend coronavirus stay-at-home orders through May

According to a statement, the current restrictions in place for the counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, and the city of Berkeley will be extended through May.

www.kron4.com

 

[Erehy Dobon]

Who in their right mind would want to go into one?

Everyone who was at the beach this past weekend.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said continued crowding of the state's beaches could postpone the plan to eventually reopen the state

Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday that the reopening plan in place for the state could be delayed if people dismiss the stay-at-home order restrictions.

www.businessinsider.com

Plus the ones who went to parks, etc.

 

[Juan007]

Nice to see more stores reopening. Apple is absolutely a critical product supplier, their phones, notebooks, and tablets run the country. We NEED Apple to be productive as a country, can't wait to see my local store open up again.

 

[I7guy]

Please don’t reopen them, you aren’t a critical service.

So what business, if any, are more critical that should be opened? Maybe none?

 

[Metrosey]

So what business, if any, are more critical that should be opened? Maybe none?

Supermarkets, doctors practices, pharmacies, transportation (train and busses) and a few others.

[automerge]1588044843[/automerge]

Nice to see more stores reopening. Apple is absolutely a critical product supplier, their phones, notebooks, and tablets run the country. We NEED Apple to be productive as a country, can't wait to see my local store open up again.

I assume this is sarcasm?

 

[I7guy]

Supermarkets, doctors practices, pharmacies and transportation (train and busses...

Supermarkets are already open as is New Jersey Transit. And some doctors officers are already open. What else? Gyms, bakeries, barbershops, diners?

 

[scrapesleon]

Well back to work folks

 

[dannyyankou]

Maybe in limited cases. I don’t think most places will go back to normal until June. We’re headed in the right direction but we’re not quite there yet.

 

[Mr. Dee]

I remember about 5 to 6 weeks ago, I had an unusual period of body aches and hullicinations, but I recovered ever since. I don’t know if it was COVID, bit being an essential worker going into the office everyday, I am kinda surprised.

 

[tbayrgs]

Nice to see more stores reopening. Apple is absolutely a critical product supplier, their phones, notebooks, and tablets run the country. We NEED Apple to be productive as a country, can't wait to see my local store open up again.

And you can purchase all of these things online or over the phone. While it's certainly easier to be able to go to an Apple Store to get a device repaired or purchase products, this also can be done remotely. Apple even offers express device replacement (overnight shipping) to AppleCare+ customers who need repairs/replacements.

I've been reconsidering my personal stance on maintaining complete lockdown and am open to more businesses that don't cater to or encourage large gatherings of people reopening with strict safety precautions is place (sorry malls, bars, restaurants, fitness clubs, amusement parks, etc--not ready for those yet). My family is fortunate enough to still have income during these tough times but so many don't and need to be able to support their families. Slowly and carefully reopening the world is looking to be needed sooner than later. I do have doubts though that are current governments are capable doing this properly.

That being said, Apple's retail stores ARE NOT essential businesses and do not need to open yet.

 

[NavySilver]

Unrelated to the original post but looking at states rushing to reopen, I hope we can erect efficient internal borders soon. Freeway checkpoints on all state borders and test every single passenger before boarding the plane. At least the responsible states can run their lives like normal then.

 

[ctyrider]

In the USA at least, every state has up to 10X more CoV cases than they had six weeks ago. Nothing has gotten better in that respect - just a lot lot worse. And a month from now all those numbers will at least double. So let's start opening stores.
But I guess it doesn't matter. Who in their right mind would want to go into one?

The number of new COVID cases will continue to increase no matter what we do, until we either have a vaccine or develop herd immunity. Would you propose we all live in bunkers for next ~2 years?

As long the curve remains flat and the medical services can handle the case load - we should be able to re-open our key businesses with some precautions and reasonable amount of social distancing. Life needs to go on.

I for one would go to the Apple Store, as long as all the reasonable precautions are in place. It's no more risky than going to a grocery store or a pharmacy.

 

[Juan007]

That being said, Apple's retail stores ARE NOT essential businesses and do not need to open yet.

You are not the arbiter of what is essential and what is not. For many people, the Apple Store is far more essential than many so-called essential operations that never shut down. If the Apple Store is open, folks can choose if it's essential on their own. That's the great thing about freedom.