Apple to Close All Retail Stores Outside of China Until March 27th

[MacRumors]

Apple today announced that it is closing all of its retail locations outside of Greater China until March 27 due to the continuing spread of the coronavirus, which means Apple Stores worldwide will be shuttered for the next two weeks.

In a letter letting customers know about the store closures, Tim Cook says that China has taught us that the most effective way to minimize the risk of the coronavirus's transmission is to reduce population density and maximize social distance, which is why Apple Stores are closing. Apple had already closed all of its stores in Italy and Spain, but stores in other countries like the United States have remained open until now.

As of today, all of our stores in Greater China have reopened. I also want to thank our operations team and partners for their remarkable efforts to restore our supply chain. What we’ve learned together has helped us all develop the best practices that are assisting enormously in our global response.

One of those lessons is that the most effective way to minimize risk of the virus’s transmission is to reduce density and maximize social distance. As rates of new infections continue to grow in other places, we’re taking additional steps to protect our team members and customers.

We will be closing all of our retail stores outside of Greater China until March 27.

Cook says that customers who need to purchase devices or accessories can do so on Apple's website or through the Apple Store app. Customers who need service and support can use Apple's support site.

Apple plans to continue to pay its hourly workers during the store closures and has expanded leave policies to accommodate personal or family health circumstances created by COVID-19, including recovering from an illness, caring for a sick loved one, mandatory quarantining, or childcare challenges.

Article Link: Apple to Close All Retail Stores Outside of China Until March 27th

 

[OafTobark]

Woah. Shareholders gasp!

 

[FlyGuyDEN]

Holy s#!%!

 

[JackieTreehorn]

Woah. Shareholders gasp!

Apple shares, or Corona shares?

 

[DoctorApple]

MacRumors is staying up late for breaking news.
Apple sure likes to dump news like this that affects their bottom line on Friday evenings.

That said, I really hope that this sends a clear message to those in doubt of the seriousness of the situation.

 

[Internet Enzyme]

How does this bode for the rumor that there will be new product press releases next week? Not well. Personally, I’ve been looking forward to upgrading my 10.5” iPad pro, but that seems like an announcement that must be shelved for quite some time now, and for good reason.

 

[fullauto]

That’s huge

 

[Iconoclysm]

How does this bode for the rumor that there will be new product press releases next week? Not well. Personally, I’ve been looking forward to upgrading my 10.5” iPad pro, but that seems like an announcement that must be shelved for quite some time now, and for good reason.

I think it could really go either way, it's a great time to broadcast something like that.

 

[nicho]

I think it could really go either way, it's a great time to broadcast something like that.

Online-only is also a great way to launch a product when supplies are tight. No need to divert thousands of each SKU to retail stores (or worse, 3rd party retailers!) with no idea of eventual demand and ensuing frustration. Just make and ship, make and ship.

 

[smbu2000]

That would just create frustration though, especially with most likely limited supplies as production in China is still low.
Releasing a product that you can't actually buy at Retail nor try out beforehand seems pretty counter productive.

 

[wilhoitm]

I am hearing the Federal Government is going to be next! This is almost like a real like "Resident Evil"!

 

[dlondon]

I was just checking stock in my local store and noticed that store pick-up wasn't available for any custom Mac options. Still currently indicates I can collect standard configurations but I guess they've only just made the announcement so probably haven't updated the website yet.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Oh my. Smart move, but holy god the markets are going to get destroyed next week.

 

[msp3]

The irony is in China of all places the Apple Stores are open

 

[fartunicorn]

Smart and calculated move. Close stores while a lot of people in many countries do not want to go outside the house. Good for their brands.
TC might wait until house approved the bills (market like this) to soften the blows on Monday.

 

[hagar]

i truely hope this disaster will lead to the end of wet markets in China where people sell and slaughter wildlife. If not to end animal suffering and pushing species to the brink of extinction, then at least to avoid global catastrophes like this. The economic impact will be dramatic. Not to mention the consequences for Apple‘s stock.

 

[fartunicorn]

Oh my. Smart move, but holy god the markets are going to get destroyed next week.

I doubt it. Market don’t like uncertainties. With the House approved the bills and Apple gave a clear date when they are going to open the stores, I think they can soften the blows.
This is a calculated and smart move by Apple.

 

[wilhoitm]

For all of you that think this is overkill! Listen to your medical professionals and not politicians, COVID-19 is no joke! It is going to get 1000 times worst! Watch the Joe Rogan interview with Infectious Disease Expert Michael Osterholm!

 

[AlexESP]

It’s totally reasonable to start proactively instead of reacting to the spread. Here in Spain everyone was doing plans for the weekend 2 days ago; yesterday everything shut down and today we’re de facto in lockdown.

 

[Freeangel1]

I always ordered my Apple computers online or Computer Discount Warehouse CDW back in 1998 around the time that Steve Jobs came back to APPLE

Maybe there would be more profit and sense to close most Apple stores and go strictly online ordering like Amazon?

Costs lots of money in rent each month for Apple and the cost of all those Apple store employees

When I have a problem I call Apple and speak to an APPLE TECH who works from Home anyway.

 

[Bocconucci]

It’s totally reasonable to start proactively instead of reacting to the spread. Here in Spain everyone was doing plans for the weekend 2 days ago; yesterday everything shut down and today we’re de facto in lockdown.

Proactive ?
Tim just followed local regulation out of necessity, closed a shop after infection, then was criticised on his WWDC plans not containing the C-phrase - and only now acts as there is no other choice. With his regular dress-up donation (reflected to as “generosity“ in the streets)

 

[richardbb85]

i was gona return an item this weekend (last day is 3/18).....think they will make an exception after they open? i dont even mind store credit

 

[Sanlitun]

Hello I have a return with less than two weeks left!

 

[Bazooka-joe]

Just received an email saying that my genius appointment has been cancelled. I guess I’ll have to speak to Apple Support about what I do about my faulty AirPods

 

[macduke]

I kinda wonder if part of the reason they’re closing everything is because they are kinda curious to see how this impacts sales and whether they could go ahead and move to an all-online model over the coming decade to increase profits even more. Obviously the main reason is the 🦠 but still, you can bet they’ll be using this as a trial. Never let a crisis go to waste!