Apple Retail Update: Danbury Store Closes for Next-Generation Redesign, Dubai to Get Second Store

[MacRumors]

Apple recently announced that its Danbury Fair Mall store in Danbury, Connecticut has temporarily closed, presumably to become one of the company's latest retail locations to be updated with a next-generation design. A temporary store has opened directly behind the existing store during the renovations.

A second-level floor plan [PDF] for the shopping mall shows a large amount of space listed as "available" behind the store, separated into three units, so it is possible the existing Apple Store could expand into at least one or two of the units. One of the units is likely occupied by the temporary location presently.

Following this report, Apple analyst Neil Cybart of Above Avalon told us that he believes the Danbury store will undergo a "very big expansion" into neighboring unit C220, which appears to have been vacated by apparel retailer New York & Company. He said the temporary location takes up a portion of unit C223.

https://twitter.com/x/status/828724260856283136

Apple has opened or renovated a number of retail stores with next-generation designs since 2015, including locations in Brussels, Cupertino, Dubai, London, Memphis, New York, San Francisco, and elsewhere.

The new look often includes wide, open spaces with some combination of indoor trees, large glass doors, touch-sensitive sequoia wood tables and shelves, seating areas, large 6K resolution video screens for product marketing and community events, and light boxes extending the length of the ceiling.

Meanwhile, Apple CFO Luca Maestri recently confirmed that Apple will soon open a second store in Dubai. Last month, tipster Mutaab A. sent us a photo of what appears to be Apple's typical black construction barrier at Dubai Mall in downtown Dubai.

Based on the photo, it appears the store could span two floors. The tipster told us the location will have the "best view" of the Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Fountain from outside-facing windows in the store. A construction worker allegedly informed the tipster that the store will be ready to open by March.

Article Link: Apple Retail Update: Danbury Store Closes for Next-Generation Redesign, Dubai to Get Second Store

 

[unibility]

As much as I enjoy my experience at an Apple Store and look forward to the 2nd generation stores, I wish Apple would take heed in their design and innovations to draw Apple faithful consumer back to their product lines.

"Can't innovate my ass." | Tim Cook

...speaking about the late 2013 complete overhaul of the MacPro.

We would like to see the ingenuity in your future product lines please.

 

[winglet69]

Well, I lived in Dubai for ten years. If the Apple stores there are like everything else, they'll be giant turds coated with a thin layer of gold.

 

[Thunderhawks]

Looks like the originally scheduled for Fall 2016 Apple store in the inner city (big shopping area)
of Cologne Germany will open second half of February.
As you can see the secret is well hidden!

 

[emm386]

Now, all that's missing are the next-generation devices...

 

[AlphaTeam]

Our current store in Grand Rapids is so very tiny. Finally, they were able to get 3 store adjacent to them and have been renovating there for a long while now. Hopefully this Spring they will open it.

 

[44267547]

Our current store in Grand Rapids is so very tiny. Finally, they were able to get 3 store adjacent to them and have been renovating there for a long while now. Hopefully this Spring they will open it.

To me, it's the smaller stores that are ignored for revamping. Partly because Apple seems to address their high traffic stores first for renovations with priority. Although, I think the smaller, more dated Stores, shouldn't always be placed on the back end of things. Those matter as well.

 

[Mr. Dee]

I wonder when Apple will ever come to the Caribbean? Kingston, Jamaica please.

 

[DcGamer05]

My local Apple store ! Who knew! It opened a long time ago back when PPC macs were still being sold. It sorely needs an upgrade and expansion

 

[Z400Racer37]

That's... Was the break room

#GoOutside

 

[macs4nw]

As much as I enjoy my experience at an Apple Store and look forward to the 2nd generation stores, I wish Apple would take heed in their design and innovations to draw Apple faithful consumer back to their product lines.

"Can't innovate my ass." | Tim Cook

...speaking about the late 2013 complete overhaul of the MacPro.....

Hate to be a pain here, but that wasn't Cook, but Phil Schiller who said that.

 

[prosp]

I was at the Danbury Mall this evening, and spoke to one of the employees.

They are taking the space adjacent to them (the New York & Co space), and that will greatly increase the size of the store. The temporary store is in space C223, behind the old location.

Could be as long as 7 months to complete the renovations.

 

[AlphaTeam]

To me, it's the smaller stores that are ignored for revamping. Partly because Apple seems to address their high traffic stores first for renovations with priority. Although, I think the smaller, more dated Stores, shouldn't always be placed on the back end of things. Those matter as well.

Actually, the store I was talking about is one of the busiest in the region, despite it being tiny. They have held classes in the main pedestrian part of the mall because they can't accommodate in the store. It was put in years ago when there was not such a high demand and the mall is always at capacity. It just so happen that two stores that were right next to the current store closed at the same time and they paid to move the third to a different space.