Apple Previews New Store With Unified Genius Bar and Pickup Counter

[MacRumors]

Apple has previewed its third retail location in India, Apple Hebbal.

The new store is located at Phoenix Mall of Asia in Bengaluru. Apple Hebbal spans approximately 8,000 square feet and is staffed by 70 employees representing 15 states across India, according to Apple. It joins Apple BKC in Mumbai and Apple Saket in Delhi.

Apple Hebbal features a unified Genius Bar and Pickup counter, merging Apple's technical support and online order collection services into a single area. This two-in-one area has rolled out in a handful of new and renovated stores over the past year.

To mark the occasion, Apple released a downloadable set of exclusive wallpapers themed around the store's peacock feather-inspired design, along with a curated Apple Music playlist featuring artists from Bengaluru. The store officially opens to the public at 1 p.m. on September 2.

Article Link: Apple Previews New Store With Unified Genius Bar and Pickup Counter

 

[N77022]

Good. The current system is disorganized and confusing at best. Each store has a totally different layout with no consistent signage for cohesion.

 

[antiprotest]

Back to the way it was before they messed up the whole process?

 

[Jeffbixler]

I feel massively uncomfortable walking into an Apple Store these days. As the person mentioned above, there is definitely a signage/layout issue, but it goes beyond that. It’s like the entire experience has been architected to make you feel unsure of yourself from the moment you walk in the door.

 

[johnrlaporta]

So now it’s the Genius Counter?

 

[Falco McGregor]

It’s good to see Apple slowly move out of the Arhendts era of store management/structure. You can’t replicate a boutique shopping experience of just one-on-one interaction in a store with as many people and moving parts as an Apple Store. It was always going to feel chaotic. Dedicated areas for repairs and checkout that are clearly designated make sense.

 

[ricketysquire]

Isn't that what they used to do?

It's so annoying these days going to the Apple Store. First you have to tell the Apple Store "bouncer" that you're here to see a Genius and they take note of your outfit to enter it into the system (probably judging my fashion choices - "these shoes with that shirt, you need a different kind of Genius"). Then they point you to sit in front of a random tree. 30 minutes after your scheduled time some random person will mispronounce your name and tell you that they need to send your device to some depot in Houston for who knows how long. Afterwards, you get the joy of leaving a crowded mall parking lot.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

The one here is horrible and confusing. They have two entrances, from the mall side and the outside, with a wall in-between the two sections..I never have any idea where to go. There is someone there to greet you and tell you where to stand, and eventually someone walks over.

Not that I go there very often.

 

[macmyworld]

The Apple Store experience is terrible. There was a time when personal touch and service was important to them. Now it is rules, confusion, and cold.

 

[SexExpert]

My local Apple Store has installed trough-style male urinals along one wall of the store. There's absolutely no privacy whatsover.

 

[citysnaps]

The Apple Store experience is terrible.

No issues here.

I walk into one of the many Apple stores in the San Francisco Bay Area, and in less that a minute an associate asks if they can help me. I tell them what I want to do (the last two times turning an old laptop in for credit) and am immediately taken care of. Or... if want a schedule of upcoming talks/how-to presentations, I'm immediately shown how to access what's coming up in any local Apple store using the Apple Store App.

Overall a first class experience all around.

 

[Fara82Light]

So they have moved a desk from one location to another.

I am pretty sure my local store has been operating a combined Genius Bar/Pickup Point/Reception Desk from the start.

 

[Freddymolina1988]

I feel massively uncomfortable walking into an Apple Store these days. As the person mentioned above, there is definitely a signage/layout issue, but it goes beyond that. It’s like the entire experience has been architected to make you feel unsure of yourself from the moment you walk in the door.

Just ask someone for help. It’s not a big deal. Just create a store yourself and put signs and labels everywhere and your problem is solved.

 

[Freddymolina1988]

My local Apple Store has installed trough-style male urinals along one wall of the store. There's absolutely no privacy whatsover.

they might as well just have a sign saying they don’t want customers using the bathroom. They need to upgrade that asap this isn’t the 1940s

 

[Freddymolina1988]

The Apple Store experience is terrible. There was a time when personal touch and service was important to them. Now it is rules, confusion, and cold.

I agree!! What would you change?

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

Debuting the iCounter®

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

So now it’s the Genius Counter?

Genius Bar — flashes lights twice, "right folks, please".

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

Just ask someone for help. It’s not a big deal. Just create a store yourself and put signs and labels everywhere and your problem is solved.

What a silly answer. Go back to Microsoft.

 

[Innovati0n]

The Apple Store experience is terrible.

Can you be specific on how exactly?

 

[MacPrince]

That unified Genius Bar and Pickup location design may be brand new in India, but there are a number of the US stores that already have it. Just in the greater Chicago area, Old Orchard and Orland Square Mall are both set up that way.

 

[kagharaht]

I've been out of touch with the stores thingy lately. I hope they bring back the Genius Bar again. Last time I was there it was pure chaos trying to figure out where to go with the Tech Person to help me.

 

[Ray@12]

Isn't that what they used to do?

It's so annoying these days going to the Apple Store. First you have to tell the Apple Store "bouncer" that you're here to see a Genius and they take note of your outfit to enter it into the system (probably judging my fashion choices - "these shoes with that shirt, you need a different kind of Genius"). Then they point you to sit in front of a random tree. 30 minutes after your scheduled time some random person will mispronounce your name and tell you that they need to send your device to some depot in Houston for who knows how long. Afterwards, you get the joy of leaving a crowded mall parking lot.

Incorrect. No one is judging you. All apple stores have iphone techs and mac techs. Be open minded that its busy and that their doing their best to stay efficient

 

[ricketysquire]

Incorrect. No one is judging you. All apple stores have iphone techs and mac techs. Be open minded that its busy and that their doing their best to stay efficient

I was just joking about the judgement stuff. But in all seriousness, I miss having a dedicated area of the store for support, that was clearly labeled and marked. I remember you'd go to the back where the Genius Bar was, you'd check in, there would be large screens on the walls to let you know when your turn is coming. I also remember they used to do a lot of repairs (and gasp.even upgrades) in-store.

 

[contacos]

Good. The current system is disorganized and confusing at best. Each store has a totally different layout with no consistent signage for cohesion.

Yep I always feel like an idiot being sent to some random area of the store, wondering if they forgot about me or not

 

[contacos]

Just ask someone for help. It’s not a big deal. Just create a store yourself and put signs and labels everywhere and your problem is solved.

The "help" usually involves them looking up from their tablet asking "do you have an appointment?" "Oh you don't? I am sorry, not today" FAT GRIN ON THEIR FACE.

And they always send you from A to B if you want to pay something. Makes you feel like an inconvenient burden. Let alone, there are always those few apple geniuses just having a chat in the corner among themselves while people chase after someone that feels responsible