Apple Hiring Fewer 'Genius' Employees at Some Retail Locations

[MacRumors]

Apple has slowed down on filling technical support or "Genius" roles at some of its retail stores, according to a report from Bloomberg. Employees at some locations have been informed that Genius positions will not be filled after the departures of people who previously filled those roles.

Bloomberg cites reports from several retail workers, who have suggested that Apple's lack of hiring could be for cost-cutting reasons or to decrease the number of employees at stores that are no longer seeing the same number of customers after the pandemic.

Apple has not laid off any workers nor is there an overall hiring freeze, but Apple has allegedly retracted verbal job offers for Genius roles in some situations in addition to halting hiring.

Despite these reports, there are still Genius roles advertised on Apple's website, and Apple has declined to comment on the situation.

Article Link: Apple Hiring Fewer 'Genius' Employees at Some Retail Locations

 

[turbineseaplane]

Not good

The quality of the geniuses, in my experience, has been going down for a decade.

Hiring less of them and/or saving costs around this point are all big negatives.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Don't really need Genius's around when Apple can simply swap out your device with a new one under warranty. Many times they have told me to contact Apple support directly via online.

 

[rizzo41999]

Maybe it's me - but I find the line of "Greeters" at the entrance of the store to be very off-putting/intimidating. I just want to walk-in and check out the stuff and will approach if I need further assistance/ready to buy.

 

[jonnyb098]

Because it doesn’t take a ”genius” to swap out An iPhone or fix the massive majority of problems that John Q. Public has with their stuff. Id bet that 10 percent of what they do is working on Macs which takes much more skill. 90 percent is swapping iPhones and restarting devices or things like “your AirPods arent working because your Bluetooth is off”.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Maybe it's me - but I find the line of "Greeters" at the entrance of the store to be very off-putting/intimidating. I just want to walk-in and check out the stuff and will approach if I need further assistance/ready to buy.

Same -- it feels like going through Airport Security just to come in.

I want to walk in and poke around & not be bothered.
Why they think we all want to be accosted by blue shirts is beyond me.

It's pretty obvious who the employees are (they are everywhere!) -- we can find them if we need them.

It honestly stops me from going into the store if I happen to walk by at the mall.
Just don't want to have that interaction and dismissal process to simply come in.

 

[HeavenDynamic]

Not good

The quality of the geniuses, in my experience, has been going down for a decade.

Hiring less of them and/or saving costs around this point are all big negatives.

You are mixing up Genius and Technical Specialist. Geniuses are working backstage to repair Macs while you meet the Technical Specialist during your appointment

 

[turbineseaplane]

You are mixing up Genius and Technical Specialist. Geniuses are working backstage to repair Macs while you meet the Technical Specialist during your appointment

My mistake - both seem to have gone downhill

Literally had a bad battery replacement for my SE1 at the Apple Store

Did the next one myself

 

[44267547]

Maybe it's me - but I find the line of "Greeters" at the entrance of the store to be very off-putting/intimidating.

Really? Intimidating? Like…. as in…they flex on you or something?

Every time I pass greeters, they don’t even say anything (Well… maybe like ‘Welcome’)., They smile and hold the door open for you. It’s not like they’re pushing products on me or anything. I definitely wouldn’t go as far as ‘intimidating’.

 

[jonnyb098]

My mistake - both seem to have gone downhill

Literally had a bad battery replacement for my SE1 at the Apple Store

Did the next one myself

The stores are nothing more than repair centers now, sadly. They have too many product out there and a dense public who can barely operate a mute switch.

 

[jonnyb098]

Maybe it's me - but I find the line of "Greeters" at the entrance of the store to be very off-putting/intimidating. I just want to walk-in and check out the stuff and will approach if I need further assistance/ready to buy.

Ive actually had the opposite problem….I go in to buy something and its like pulling teeth to just say hey I wanna buy something they look at me like I have 14 eye balls.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Ive actually had the opposite problem….I go in to buy something and its like pulling teeth to just say hey I wanna buy something they look at me like I have 14 eye balls.

I need to go to your store!
Sounds actually pleasurable!

 

[maxoakland]

Don't really need Genius's around when Apple can simply swap out your device with a new one under warranty. Many times they have told me to contact Apple support directly via online.

The whole point is for them to help you with things in the store so you don’t have to contact support. It doesn’t seem like Apple is taking the Apple store as seriously as they used to, and that’s not great. They still only have a tiny market share for Macs. They should be fighting for more, not resting on their laurels

 

[szw-mapple fan]

Really? Intimidating? Like…. as in…they flex on you or something?

Every time I pass greeters, they don’t even say anything (Well… maybe like ‘Welcome’)., They smile and hold the door open for you. It’s not like they’re pushing products on me or anything. I definitely wouldn’t go as far as ‘intimidating’.

My experience as well. Mostly they just have their iPad out and ask if you want to check in for an appointment along with a light greeting. One of my better experiences when it comes to retail greeters.

 

[red elma]

Those "greeters"...

 

[turbineseaplane]

One of my better experiences when it comes to retail greeters.

The issue some of us have is "having greeters at all"

I wish they'd be a bit more discretionary and see if you are heading right for something and just leave you alone.

Conversely, if folks are looking lost -- maybe they need a helping hand -- go devote time to that would be my suggestion.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

My experience as well. Mostly they just have their iPad out and ask if you want to check in for an appointment along with a light greeting. One of my better experiences when it comes to retail greeters.

Sometimes that's not needed when you know exactly what you are going to purchase. Not everyone is going to have an appointment. Not going to lie it is a little intimidating

 

[44267547]

My experience as well. Mostly they just have their iPad out and ask if you want to check in for an appointment along with a light greeting. One of my better experiences when it comes to retail greeters.

Yeah, that’s exactly all they do, stand there with an iPad, check in with your name and your reason for visit. Literally, that’s it. I’ve never had anyone try to ‘intimidate’ me at an Apple Store. I think that’s a bit far fetched conveying that expression.

 

[rizzo41999]

Really? Intimidating? Like…. as in…they flex on you or something?

Every time I pass greeters, they don’t even say anything (Well… maybe like ‘Welcome’)., They smile and hold the door open for you. It’s not like they’re pushing products on me or anything. I definitely wouldn’t go as far as ‘intimidating’.

Come visit my local store, you'll be very surprised buddy lmao

 

[rizzo41999]

Same -- it feels like going through Airport Security just to come in.

I want to walk in and poke around & not be bothered.
Why they think we all want to be accosted by blue shirts is beyond me.

It's pretty obvious who the employees are (they are everywhere!) -- we can find them if we need them.

It honestly stops me from going into the store if I happen to walk by at the mall.
Just don't want to have that interaction and dismissal process to simply come in.

You and I are on the exact same page!

 

[KaliYoni]

I don't have any privileged info about Apple. However, I am an ex-retailer and I think the most likely reason for not refilling the "Genius" ranks at some Apple Stores is not part of some widespread conspiracy or the inevitable outcome of a particular economic system. Instead, it is probably in response to current store traffic patterns and individual store sales trends.

In retailing, one of the few costs that can be changed in the very short term–days and weeks–is hourly staffing levels. Most other costs, including inventory, rent, utilities, and salaries are fixed and won't vary much whether a store is open or closed. So when sales are not at the levels predicted when hiring hourly employees and when issuing work schedules, store managers have to reduce staffing expenditures. Unprofitable stores aren't good for anybody because they end up closing permanently.

Personally, I think there are a lot of problems with how the retail industry manages and treats its workers (this is why I'm no longer a retailer). But fixing these problems will require massive changes in public policy, consumer expectations, corporate priorities, and how retailing companies are financed.

----------
ETA: the first part of this post sounds somewhat disconnected to the discussion that precedes it because I was responding to claims in posts that have since been removed.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

I don't have any privileged info about Apple. However, I am an ex-retailer and I think the most likely reason for not refilling the "Genius" ranks at some Apple Stores is not part of some widespread conspiracy or the inevitable outcome of a particular economic system. Instead, it is probably in response to current store traffic patterns and individual store sales trends.

In retailing, one of the few costs that can be controlled in the very short term–days and weeks–is hourly staffing levels. Most other costs, including inventory, rent, utilities, and salaries are fixed and won't vary much whether a store is open or closed. So when sales are not at the levels predicted when hiring hourly employees and when issuing work schedules, store managers have to reduce staffing expenditures.

Personally, I think there are a lot of problems with how the retailing industry manages and treats its workers (this is why I'm no longer a retailer). But fixing these problems will require massive changes in public policy, consumer expectations, corporate priorities, and how retailing companies are financed.

Cutting hourly staffing levels? How is this possible when Apple is making so much money. This is just last quarter. It could be Apple is finding themselves not needing geniuses around anymore.

Apple Reports First Quarter Results

Apple today announced financial results for its fiscal 2022 first quarter ended December 25, 2021.

www.apple.com

 

[44267547]

Come visit my local store

Sounds good. What store do you suggest I visit?

I’d be interested see how they would ‘intimidate’ me. Like.. menacingly stare at me? Flex on me? Throw something at me?

Or….or… maybe your interpretation and/or choice of wording of what ‘intimidate’ is different than from somebody else’s. That could be it too.

 

[BellSystem]

Yeah, that’s exactly all they do, stand there with an iPad, check in with your name and your reason for visit. Literally, that’s it. I’ve never had anyone try to ‘intimidate’ me at an Apple Store. I think that’s a bit far fetched conveying that expression.

It is not far fetched. Some people are intimidated by being engaged with in stores. Not everyone is the same and you shouldn't assume they are. You have no idea what struggles someone might have and it's not anyone's place to tell them their feelings are invalid or belittle them.

I personally do not want to feel like I need to speak with 40 people when I walk into a store.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I’d be interested see how they would ‘intimidate’ me. Like.. menacingly stare at me? Flex on me? Throw something at me?

Or….or… maybe your interpretation and/or choice of wording of what ‘intimidate’ is different than from somebody else’s. That could be it too.

Same goes for you
Show some courtesy and understanding for others please