Apple Orchard Road in Singapore Officially Opens to the Public

[MacRumors]

Apple today officially opened up its first retail location in Southeast Asia, Apple Orchard Road in Singapore, to the public at 10:00 a.m. local time. The store marks the newest addition to Apple's next-generation retail rollout, following similar design principles and community-focused values seen at Apple Union Square in San Francisco and Apple Dubai Mall.

https://twitter.com/x/status/868304911326298113

As the first Apple retail store in Southeast Asia, Apple Orchard Road has received a lot of attention over the past few weeks leading up to its grand opening. Reports began to ramp up in early May when Apple put up a mural in front of the store that displayed large "Apple Loves Singapore" artwork in various places. Upon closer inspection, the details of the artwork represented different "Creative Pros" who will now help run Apple Orchard Road's "Today at Apple" programs.

Photo via Straits Times​

After the opening date was announced, Apple removed the barricades from the storefront, unveiling the design of the inside of the store for the first time. Earlier this week, the Cupertino company then allowed members of the press to visit the store and take pictures of its next-generation design, which included a curved staircase inspired by Apple Park and an upstairs "town hall" gathering space for Today at Apple sessions.

Apple Orchard Road is the newest step in the company's plan to eschew more traditional retail establishment principals where the only purpose is to visit the store to buy something, and encourage customers to be inspired by the products through Today at Apple. When the company announced the new sessions would begin expanding worldwide in May, Apple senior vice president of retail, Angela Ahrendts, said that Today at Apple was catalyzed by Apple's "desire to educate and inspire the communities we serve."

Ultimately, Ahrendts hopes that the next generation refers to Apple as a meeting spot similar to the communal nature of a place like Starbucks. "Starbucks figured it out, you know? Being a gathering place for – right? 'Meet me at Starbucks,'" Ahrendts said. "And you know, I've told the teams, 'I'll know we've done a really, really great job if the next generation, if Gen Z says, "Meet me at Apple. Did you see what's going on at Apple today?"'"

Article Link: Apple Orchard Road in Singapore Officially Opens to the Public

 

[thasan]

really? muttonsinthemorning? lol.
the store looks cool though!

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

Looks nice and clean.

 

[lazyrighteye]

Looks nice and clean.

Speaking of nice and clean...
Whose the dental hygienist in the middle?

Store looks great!

 

[Harmonious Zen]

Looks nice and clean.

That pretty much describes Singapore itself.

 

[Russlush3]

There is a Union Square in NYC. There is also a Union Square in San Francisco. The Apple store you are referring to is the one in San Francisco (quite certain there is no Apple store in NY's Union Square, the closest is over on 14th st. and 9th Ave.).

Anyways, the Singapore store is welcomed with open arms. Never realized how inconsistent and messy it can be to purchase/repair products solely through third party outlets until I moved here.

 

[TheGenerous]

I loved being in Singapore, really sweet people, good for them

 

[Westside guy]

There's quite a difference between meeting someone at Starbucks and spending $4 on a latte versus meeting at the Apple Store and dropping $1700 on a MacBook Pro, Angela.

 

[ThunderSkunk]

"Gen Z"

Oh boomers.

 

[pika2000]

About time. Seeing how many people in Singapore are using iPhones, I'm not sure why this didn't come any sooner. And finally there is a proper Apple support now, as the services provided by the authorized service centers can be inconsistent at times.

 

[Abazigal]

Maybe now we can finally some AirPods in stock.

 

[44267547]

Maybe now we can finally some AirPods in stock.

Congrats on the Store. Fortunately you own the Airpods already.

 

[Mercsy]

Apple today officially opened up its first retail location in Southeast Asia, Apple Orchard Road in Singapore, to the public at 10:00 a.m. local time. The store marks the newest addition to Apple's next-generation retail rollout, following similar design principles and community-focused values seen at Apple Union Square in New York and Apple Dubai Mall.

​

As the first Apple retail store in Southeast Asia, Apple Orchard Road has received a lot of attention over the past few weeks leading up to its grand opening. Reports began to ramp up in early May when Apple put up a mural in front of the store that displayed large "Apple Loves Singapore" artwork in various places. Upon closer inspection, the details of the artwork represented different "Creative Pros" who will now help run Apple Orchard Road's "Today at Apple" programs.

After the opening date was announced, Apple removed the barricades from the storefront, unveiling the design of the inside of the store for the first time. Earlier this week, the Cupertino company then allowed members of the press to visit the store and take pictures of its next-generation design, which included a curved staircase inspired by Apple Park and an upstairs "town hall" gathering space for Today at Apple sessions.

Apple Orchard Road is the newest step in the company's plan to eschew more traditional retail establishment principals where the only purpose is to visit the store to buy something, and encourage customers to be inspired by the products through Today at Apple. When the company announced the new sessions would begin expanding worldwide in May, Apple senior vice president of retail, Angela Ahrendts, said that Today at Apple was catalyzed by Apple's "desire to educate and inspire the communities we serve."

Ultimately, Ahrendts hopes that the next generation refers to Apple as a meeting spot similar to the communal nature of a place like Starbucks. "Starbucks figured it out, you know? Being a gathering place for - right? 'Meet me at Starbucks,'" Ahrendts said. "And you know, I've told the teams, 'I'll know we've done a really, really great job if the next generation, if Gen Z says, "Meet me at Apple. Did you see what's going on at Apple today?"'"

Article Link: Apple Orchard Road in Singapore Officially Opens to the Public

[doublepost=1495861526][/doublepost]We are still waiting for a Apple store in New Zealand

 

[Amcmo]

There's quite a difference between meeting someone at Starbucks and spending $4 on a latte versus meeting at the Apple Store and dropping $1700 on a MacBook Pro, Angela.

Yes very much so.

Several hours later, you 'pass' the $4 coffee (if Starbucks offering could be remotely considered as coffee). The $1700 MacBook is good for many years of work, profit, entertainment.

 

[Abazigal]

Congrats on the Store. Fortunately you own the Airpods already.

Yup. Still using them every day and loving it.

I will likely get round to visiting it over the next couple of days, as I don't really like crowds, and would like the initial excitement to die down a little first. I have never actually inside an Apple Store, and so am curious as to just what makes it so much better over a third party retail store. I get that it's a very huge building, and that it likely holds a lot of strategic value for Apple, but I am not really in the market for any new Apple products at the moment, and have pretty much interacted with them to death, so I guess I never really understood the hype.

I suppose that if my iPhone ever broke down again, I should get a faster response time than the 1 week for a replacement to get shipped to me via third party repair channels.

We will see.

 

[Amcmo]

[doublepost=1495861526][/doublepost]We are still waiting for a Apple store in New Zealand

I'll agree with you - long overdue, not that I'm in NZ

 

[44267547]

Yup. Still using them every day and loving it.

I will likely get round to visiting it over the next couple of days, as I don't really like crowds, and would like the initial excitement to die down a little first. I have never actually inside an Apple Store, and so am curious as to just what makes it so much better over a third party retail store. I get that it's a very huge building, and that it likely holds a lot of strategic value for Apple, but I am not really in the market for any new Apple products at the moment, and have pretty much interacted with them to death, so I guess I never really understood the hype.

I suppose that if my iPhone ever broke down again, I should get a faster response time than the 1 week for a replacement to get shipped to me via third party repair channels.

We will see.

I imagine come Fall with all the product releases, you're going to really appreciate having that store for any in store purchases. Nonetheless, at least you have your first Apple store in Singapore.

 

[RowellE]

So it's totally okay if I hang out at my local Apple Store, plop myself in front of a Mac and do my homework for a couple hours? I would love to be able to do that, but would feel super awkward doing so.

 

[meaning-matters]

Soft comfortable seats, internet and coffee were my reasons to work and meet at Starbucks.

With these wooden low boxes and without coffee, she's missing the point entirely.

 

[macs4nw]

So it's totally okay if I hang out at my local Apple Store, plop myself in front of a Mac and do my homework for a couple hours? I would love to be able to do that, but would feel super awkward doing so.

That's the possible downside I can see developing over time with this new approach to Apple's retail operations. People loitering, coming just to use the free internet, or maybe even to hawk their own equipment, all of which makes it more difficult for a genuine purchaser to browse the store, or get info on something.

Even now, when attending a workshop, I find it difficult at times to concentrate with all the ambient noise.

 

[M2M]

Soft comfortable seats, internet and coffee were my reasons to work and meet at Starbucks.

With these wooden low boxes and without coffee, she's missing the point entirely.

Exactly my thinking !

 

[textman]

I am going to visit it sometime next week.

 

[Bacillus]

Soft comfortable seats, internet and coffee were my reasons to work and meet at Starbucks.

With these wooden low boxes and without coffee, she's missing the point entirely.

Coffee ?
With the nominal profit margins at Apple, I'd expect complete dinner tables, served out with champagne for Apple customers.
To that end, significant savings could be made on Angela's interviews (at net cost price of several $100k, enough for a few coffee machines, besides lunch room inventory...)
Because at every such occasion her statements, message, appearance and vocab are remarkably similar (and it doesn't change the product catalogue which has been quite stationary over the last 4 years, except for 3rd party accessories maybe)
With "Today At Apple" being a merely refurbed formula of existing Apple seminars I am afraid that her "excitement" is somewhat fabricated; it doesn't feel all that fresh and different to me, compared to the AppleStore set-up under Ron Johnson (almost 10 years ago ?)
But I may need a coffee now at home, Starbucks (or any other community place that can miss a few dimes...)

 

[justiny]

There's quite a difference between meeting someone at Starbucks and spending $4 on a latte versus meeting at the Apple Store and dropping $1700 on a MacBook Pro, Angela.

Oh, good. For a fast minute, I was worried I wasn't on MacRumors until I started reading comments on yet another ridiculous reason like an Apple Store opening to criticize Angela. The only other comments missing here are that Apple is doomed and Tim Cook makes Lucifer look like Santa Claus.

 

[Seoras]

She's certainly the best looking VP in the Valley. A bit of a babe, is Angela, on top of all her success and achievements.