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Apple Previews New Store With Combined Genius Bar and Pickup Spot

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Apple today shared photos of its upcoming store at MixC Hefei in China.

Apple-Store-Combined-Genius-Bar-Apple-Pickup.jpg

The store features a combined Genius Bar and Apple Pickup station, so customers can receive support and collect their online orders in a single area. This combination now exists at a handful of Apple's new or renovated retail stores, such as Apple Bridge Street and Apple Old Orchard, according to the Retail Archive account.

Today at Apple creative sessions will also be offered at the store, for free.

Apple MixC Hefei opens to the public on Saturday, January 18, at 10 a.m. local time. The store features a wide, curved glass entrance.

Apple-Store-MixC-Hefei.jpg

In its press release previewing the store, Apple reminded customers that it is currently offering special-edition AirPods 4 with an engraving for the Year of the Snake in China. They will be available to purchase at the store.

Apple is also opening a new store at the Miami Worldcenter complex on Friday, January 24, and it is renovating two other stores in Florida and Texas.

Article Link: Apple Previews New Store With Combined Genius Bar and Pickup Spot
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/01/16/apple-store-with-combined-genius-bar-and-pickup/
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MacRumors said:
Apple is also opening a new store at the Miami Worldcenter complex on Friday, January 24
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This is such a really cool store layout! Apple did a really good job with the design of this new store

I’m going to be flying to Miami, Florida on February 25 and I was planning to go to that store if I get a chance. Is the new store in Miami going to have this new redesign as well?
 
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The process of retrieving an item from an Apple Store can be highly perplexing.

Upon arrival, customers are prompted to check in at the front. Afterward, they are randomly directed to a table. Standing there, feeling uncertain, you are approached by an individual who inquires, “May I assist you? I see you have been standing here for a while.” It is important to note that I was standing there because I had assumed that after the initial check-in and being directed to stand by a table, someone in the back would retrieve my item.

After re-checking in with this individual and further waiting, the item is finally brought out. This entire process can take anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes, leaving customers bewildered by the unnecessary complexity.
 
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Justin Cymbal said:
This is such a really cool store layout! Apple did a really good job with the design of this new store

I’m going to be flying to Miami, Florida on February 25 and I was planning to go to that store if I get a chance. Is the new store in Miami going to have this new redesign as well?
Click to expand...
It will be the latest "Vintage E" design at Miami Worldcenter, but I don't know specifics.
 
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splitpea said:
Can? You mean will have to wait for pickup until all the people in front of them who need support have been taken care of?

What problem is this solving, exactly?
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Every time I've tried to pick up an item from the Apple store in the last decade its been a process that is not replicated anywhere else because their default step is to assume I need consultation on a purchase.

I'm not sure why they don't just have a register like every other store to resolve this issue. I've stopped buying products from Apple unless absolutely required because its so complicated for no good reason.
 
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I still find the Apple store concept strange how there's no obvious sales counter to go to if you need help. On one hand I understand the idealistic "just find an Apple store employee and they will help" concept, but when it's busy, you walk in and have no idea where to go or what to do. When that happens (which isn't often), it's frustrating as heck.
 
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splitpea said:
Can? You mean will have to wait for pickup until all the people in front of them who need support have been taken care of?

What problem is this solving, exactly?
Click to expand...
There is a 0% chance that all of this means that you wait in a line behind Genius Bar customers in order to pick up your online order. This just means that the pickup people and the Genius Bar people use the same very long table. That’s it. Picking up and getting support are two separate things.
 
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The Apple store is the very worst consumer experience if you just want to BUY something. As said above, you are told to stand by a table and then wait. FOREVER. I did it once.

Now they bring me stuff in 2 hours for $8, which is less time and $$ than subwaying down to Lincoln Center and back and fiddle-farging around at the Apple Store.

I really don’t understand the store as a store. It’s an experience place. Got an afternoon free? Go to the Apple Store.
 
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The Apple Store is the worst. Every time I go, it’s a terrible experience. Why can’t they just have a simple checkout counter? As a customer, I shouldn’t have to hunt someone down just to pay something. The so-called "check-in" area by the entrance only made things worse. The last three times I was there, they told me, “Sorry, not today,” with a ridiculous smile on their face. I ended up ignoring them, found someone on my own, and—surprise—it was suddenly no problem to get my broken screen protector replaced. It's also kind of ridiculous how they just send you away like you would think they'd want you to explore the store and potentially leave with something you did not even plan to buy but nope.

It’s so frustrating to stand around feeling like an idiot, waiting by a random table or even next to some plant (lol), wondering if they’ve forgotten about me. And don’t even get me started on how they loudly shout out everyone’s name—so much for privacy. Steeeeeven, STEEEEEEVEN, are you steeeeeeven? - No" STEEEEEEVAN
 
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nfl46 said:
The process of retrieving an item from an Apple Store can be highly perplexing.

Upon arrival, customers are prompted to check in at the front. Afterward, they are randomly directed to a table. Standing there, feeling uncertain, you are approached by an individual who inquires, “May I assist you? I see you have been standing here for a while.” It is important to note that I was standing there because I had assumed that after the initial check-in and being directed to stand by a table, someone in the back would retrieve my item.

After re-checking in with this individual and further waiting, the item is finally brought out. This entire process can take anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes, leaving customers bewildered by the unnecessary complexity.
Click to expand...

It must vary by stores since my experience was much better.

In my last visit, I was prompted to check out at the front, was directed to stand at a table, but my item (MacBook M3 Air) was brought to me in under 5 minutes. I remember at the time thinking on how smooth it went.

The store layout can make a difference but I think that the most important thing is the people working at the store.
 
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Every Apple Store I've visited for purchasing Apple products, or just to ask simple questions, has been an outstanding experience. Service is quick and efficient. And all of the employees are friendly and can answer any questions.

I remember the Jobs days when you'd have to wait in a line to do anything - yuck. How it's currently organized is far better.
 
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Apple stores look good in the press images and when they are not crowded. I have never been in an Apple Store that is not crowded though and all the feeling those images elicit are right out the window. Now if they could create a space made for crowds while still feeling roomie and not so crowded then that would be a great store to visit.
 
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jakebrosy said:
The Apple store is the very worst consumer experience if you just want to BUY something. As said above, you are told to stand by a table and then wait. FOREVER. I did it once.

Now they bring me stuff in 2 hours for $8, which is less time and $$ than subwaying down to Lincoln Center and back and fiddle-farging around at the Apple Store.

I really don’t understand the store as a store. It’s an experience place. Got an afternoon free? Go to the Apple Store.
Click to expand...
I came here to say exactly this, just a different city. It’s worth the $8.
 
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So they’re turning it back into what it was years ago? Before they decided it was better to walk around mindlessly looking for an employee that wasn’t already helping someone rather than just wait in line at the Genius Bar.
 
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StuBeck said:
Every time I've tried to pick up an item from the Apple store in the last decade its been a process that is not replicated anywhere else because their default step is to assume I need consultation on a purchase.

I'm not sure why they don't just have a register like every other store to resolve this issue. I've stopped buying products from Apple unless absolutely required because its so complicated for no good reason.
Click to expand...
With every buy in an Apple Store you’ll get the brain wash for free in the updated one.
 
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StuBeck said:
I'm not sure why they don't just have a register like every other store to resolve this issue. I've stopped buying products from Apple unless absolutely required because its so complicated for no good reason.
Click to expand...
Because a register with a dedicated staff member doesn't look cool. It is a tried and true method of processing sales in many countries but Tim insists on being different ... hence the ClusterF***k at Apple stores. Fortunately no beer companies have hired Tim to organize piss-ups in their breweries.
 
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