Jony Ive Says Apple's New Flagship Chicago Store is About 'Reviving Important Urban Connections'

[DEMinSoCAL]

It amazes me that they need 20000 sq ft to show off a handful of products that, to be honest, almost everyone knows, has touched, used, etc. Tables as far as the eye can see...for what? Tiny iPhones, iPads, tiny watches, and a Mac or two.

I've always wondered what people DO when they go into an Apple Store? Do they not have friends with iPhones and iPads to play with before buying? I think most people have already made up their mind when they walk through the doors...having hands-on product seems unnecessary.
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I know it’s a store, but people there do seem happy, as they do at the Church I go to.
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In Washington, I’d walk by the Microsoft “store” at the Alderwood Mall, and while it is in a high traffic area, there are a few people around it, while 100 yards away, at the Apple Store, it is packed with people. If the Apple Store was an empty edifice, I’d be upset, but since they aren’t, I say it is money well spent.

But what are they doing in there? They've never seen or touched an iPhone before? Most of the product is stale, so they're not there to "see what's new!"...the same logic applies to the MS store...but there, my logic plays out as the store is empty.

 

[Apple blogger]

Love the look!

But what's that in the benches? It looks like a basketball?

 

[pratikindia]

Apple is a in a mess right now. No Pro products. No new Mac Mini.No Mac Pro, awful keyboard on Macs, same old iPhone design and so on. They need to improve quickly.

 

[drzen]

Apple 2017: All shine, little substance.

 

[MadeTheSwitch]

In Washington, I’d walk by the Microsoft “store” at the Alderwood Mall, and while it is in a high traffic area, there are a few people around it, while 100 yards away, at the Apple Store, it is packed with people. If the Apple Store was an empty edifice, I’d be upset, but since they aren’t, I say it is money well spent.

Because Windows computers are sold differently. They are available in many many many stores. People can even gather parts and build their own. It's not like no one uses windows computers. It is also because they never could get a phone platform successfully launched. If Microsoft had a sucessful phone that only they made, and if they were the only ones that made windows computers and sold them the same way Apple did, they would be busier too.

 

[Soccertess]

Yes, Angela Ahrendts is the epitome of Apple's approach. She has taken the retail stores to a whole new level and they are now the most profitable in the entire world per square foot revenue by a mile and are still growing. Foot traffic is likewise setting records, and they are winning design awards. Like most of the Apple lineup, their competitors have been left in the dust, not even on the same playing field anymore, and their profits and revenue have grown so large that the biggest monopoly problem Apple has is that the mass of other companies are complying to regulators that Apple's cash horde is so large Apple is taking up all the space in the bank vaults around the world.

Now, back to your idea to petition the board to fire Angela for such poor performance ...

wow! you really think those retail stores have heavy foot traffic because the way they are designed? That award winning design had anything to do with? The products and the engineering was nothing right?g
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1) Apple is where it is because Jobs lead the creation of an ecosystem of products, that were stable and beautiful. It succeeded where microsoft failed because of their excellent engineering.

2) macbook also won awards, you know where you can stick that award and the macbook? yes.. that's where. I wouldn't touch that thing with 10 foot pool.

Personally, I don't go to the apple store. I could careless if the store was a hole in the wall. Just give me macbook pros with more than USB-C ports and competitive features with android. Google now products may not be sold in amazing stores, but majority of smart phones are andriod. That's just a fact...

 

[Cole Slaw]

Every time this guy opens his mouth bombastic nonsense like this comes spilling out.
Maybe he should talk less and get back to work on Apples dilapidated desktop computer lineup.
Then again maybe he's not the right guy for that job, because his design handiwork is driven by the mantra of thinner at all costs. Which means less ports, zero expandability, and enough glue and solder to hold the iceberg-stricken Titanic together.

 

[Veinticinco]

No, I am explaining what has happened since she took over. She has taken a successful model and moved it into the stratosphere. Sorry, but she is not a failure at running Apple retail

She clearly had both of Cook's ears when Apple tried - and spectacularly failed - to position the Watch as a luxury "fashion" statement, or have we forgotten the Edition, the paid PR fashionista editorials, the pop up boutiques in Galerie Lafayette, Selfridges etc.

It was a disastrous fail that should have seen her booted not rewarded.

 

[manu chao]

Angela Ahrendts is the epitome of what is wrong with Apple.

Are you going to buy the Apple watch 3 because of the store, or the freakin battery life and LTE. Are you going to stay with iOS because of it's utility and ease of use, or is Android's personal assistant so much better than siri that it's actually a feature you want to switch over. Things like this Apple consumers question them selves.

Apple has made a bunch of money, and is wasting it on the likes of Angela who ADDS NO value to the Apple ecosystem. This is just another bad Tim Cook decision. Can't wait till a Apple has a real CEO again.

p.s Store is nice. Personally, you could plate it with gold but it wouldn't make up for crappy siri, dongle galore, and products that reduce functionality for design. I hope Angela release the next killer innovation from Apple, the islab. A tablet with no screen, just a slab of the best polished Aluminium in the world - best fashion accessory too!

So, your point is that Apple shouldn't be investing in nice stores or talk about nice stores until their products have been fixed in regard to the shortcomings you have mentioned? Or pay Jony Ive and Angela Ahrendts big bucks? Because Apple is so cash-strapped that investing in stores reduces investment in products?

And you know that Apple Stores, including flagship stores were built in large numbers under Steve Jobs? Or what CEO do you mean when you said 'until Apple has a real CEO again' ('again' meaning that they had one some time in the past)?
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She clearly had both of Cook's ears when Apple tried - and spectacularly failed - to position the Watch as a luxury "fashion" statement, or have we forgotten the Edition, the paid PR fashionista editorials, the pop up boutiques in Galerie Lafayette, Selfridges etc.

Yeah, sure, Ahrendts was the key driver behind the gold Apple Watch and the whole idea of marketing it as a fashion item. The retail head determining product development. Get real, there are several people with much more influence on the watch development, starting with Tim Cook, Phil Schiller, Jony Ive, and Jeff Williams.
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It amazes me that they need 20000 sq ft to show off a handful of products that, to be honest, almost everyone knows, has touched, used, etc. Tables as far as the eye can see...for what? Tiny iPhones, iPads, tiny watches, and a Mac or two.

I've always wondered what people DO when they go into an Apple Store? Do they not have friends with iPhones and iPads to play with before buying? I think most people have already made up their mind when they walk through the doors...having hands-on product seems unnecessary.

Then why doesn't everybody buy online? Much less work than going to a store.

 

[Bacillus]

Angela Ahrendts is the epitome of what is wrong with Apple.
.....

Don't underestimate her role as a walking fashion statement. Her spectacles pave the way for a AppleGlass future that we can only dream of (because that's its main aim, to be frank)
She's not just piloting enhanced AR, but looking right through the internet and she observed you as you typed your little rant. That makes it so scary...
[doublepost=1508498520][/doublepost]Sorry Joni, but here in Europe, Chicago is (and will remain) the symbol of organised crime.
Obviously, that's against modern statistics but from a historic perspective, it lives along as the center of shooting gangs, murderers, gun incidents.
So stop your excessive moaning and leave us that dream (and we'll let you stay comfortable whispering with ApplePark trees)
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Yeah, sure, Ahrendts was the key driver behind the gold Apple Watch and the whole idea of marketing it as a fashion item. The retail head determining product development. Get real, there are several people with much more influence on the watch development, starting with Tim Cook, Phil Schiller, Jony Ive, and Jeff Williams.

To her credit, she wasn't the only reason behind the failed AppleWatch fashion positioning.
Agree, she was the driver, but thing were going against her.
She was highly disappointed how ugly the watch was (its plumpiness still amazes me) and probably realized this could never become a fashion thing anyway.
Then she had to change the launch strategy a couple of times in a row (and cancel employee introductory courses) due to shortages at launch day. That is where they decided to sell only on-line initially - obviously not her plan but she had to make that decision public - and it took forever to get the AppleStores provisioned sufficiently enough to become points of sale. Due to these shortages, her fashion-partners didn't get provided in the initial round and became mad at Apple - which is where the momentum for 3rd party sales/distribution got lost. Later on, supply levels improved, but the "boutique" formula was lost due to lack of focus and sales. Probably it would never have worked because of the plumpy design that fashion shops just don't want to be identified with.
We should recognize Joni as the King of Design Anorexia - but sadly not for the watch where it was needed the most...

 

[jmgregory1]

It amazes me that they need 20000 sq ft to show off a handful of products that, to be honest, almost everyone knows, has touched, used, etc. Tables as far as the eye can see...for what? Tiny iPhones, iPads, tiny watches, and a Mac or two.

I've always wondered what people DO when they go into an Apple Store? Do they not have friends with iPhones and iPads to play with before buying? I think most people have already made up their mind when they walk through the doors...having hands-on product seems unnecessary.
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But what are they doing in there? They've never seen or touched an iPhone before? Most of the product is stale, so they're not there to "see what's new!"...the same logic applies to the MS store...but there, my logic plays out as the store is empty.

I think that many who are on this and other tech forums don't realize that the vast majority of consumers are not following Apple and other tech companies the way we do, nor are they necessarily buying every iteration of each Apple device as they are launched. Many people I know who own multiple Apple products (iPhones, iPads, MacBooks), are only going to buy new when something happens to their current device that effectively forces them to need a replacement.

And because of that, they're often running products several generations behind (since Apple devices tend to last). So there are a lot of people who haven't seen or played with the newest devices and going to an Apple store gives them that ability. And Apple makes it easy, with low pressure / no pressure on sales and inviting and interesting stores.

 

[M.PaulCezanne]

Jony Ive-ory Tower. When Angela Ahrendts makes $78 million for removing a table, calling the resulting empty space revolutionary and branding it a "Genius Grove", you know there's a problem. It appears these folks are so out of touch with reality they think anything they say or do is gospel.

In reality, virtually anyone with the resources they have could hire top architects to build what they build. Good grief.

 

[jmgregory1]

Sorry Joni, but here in Europe, Chicago is (and will remain) the symbol of organised crime.
Obviously, that's against modern statistics but from a historic perspective, it lives along as the center of shooting gangs, murderers, gun incidents.
So stop your excessive moaning and leave us that dream (and we'll let you stay comfortable whispering with ApplePark trees)

As someone who lives in the Chicago area, I think it's important for people to realize that 99% of the violence that gets reported is unfortunately black on black gang crime happening in areas of the city that any tourist and most residents not living in those areas, will never experience. I'm not saying it's not a terrible thing and something needs to be done to stop it, but it's not what it may seem like from the reporting.

In regards to the new Apple store in Chicago, it's located at the south end of the [tourist] shopping mecca known as North Michigan Ave, where it could be argued it is right in the middle of a very urban environment. But it's certainly not an area of mixed socio-economic groups - instead it's an area of aspirational brands, retailers, restaurants, bars, etc. That is of course exactly why Apple is there with a destination store that will, as their now former north North Michigan Ave location did, generate millions of unique visits, mostly by people who don't live in the area.

And as far as both feeling safe and being safe, I would argue that the Loop area of Chicago (city center) is more safe than many other large global urban cities, at least that I've experienced. There is far less petty crime (pick pocketing) than some European and South American big cities and the only robbery in Chicago you might experience will be over paying for dinner at some tourist trap steak joint, or taking a cab when you could hop on the L for a quarter the price and get where you're going faster.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

Then why doesn't everybody buy online? Much less work than going to a store.

They do! How many people buying the iPhone X on October 27th will be going to the Apple Store to try out the phone before buying? NONE. All of them will be buying it (happily) sight unseen, and online.

I agree it is much less work to buy online and in my opinion (for most) unnecessary to go to a store. Read reviews online, watch YouTube review videos, make a decision, shop online, and if you don't like it, return it within the return policy guidelines.

I used to stroll through our local Apple store, but now with nothing new, nothing industry-changing, to put my hands on, it's been a couple years since I've been in one.

 

[iMi]

Imagine living with Jony Ives... This non-sense would start with breakfast and last throughout the day.

This cereal has been engineered to perfectly fit in your mouth. They are perfectly round, as roundness is the essence of everything in the universe. The earth is round, too. We took inspiration from it. That's why the blue flakes on this cereal, which have been meticulously applied through a multi-step process that has never been done before, is there to highlight it's natural beauty. They are only 0.1 mm thin. The thinnest cereal ever placed in a bowl. This design language flows naturally to the bagel on your mom's plate... because simple is beautiful, it's amazing and just incredible.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

I think that many who are on this and other tech forums don't realize that the vast majority of consumers are not following Apple and other tech companies the way we do, nor are they necessarily buying every iteration of each Apple device as they are launched. Many people I know who own multiple Apple products (iPhones, iPads, MacBooks), are only going to buy new when something happens to their current device that effectively forces them to need a replacement.

And because of that, they're often running products several generations behind (since Apple devices tend to last). So there are a lot of people who haven't seen or played with the newest devices and going to an Apple store gives them that ability. And Apple makes it easy, with low pressure / no pressure on sales and inviting and interesting stores.

To some degree, I agree with you. But the stores can look like a subway station during rush hour!! So many people in there, you'd think there was a free giveaway or Beyonce was in there. I guess that's my point...sure some people go in to touch/see, but the masses in there...what are they doing in there?

 

[MrX8503]

I assume the critics don't live in Chicago?

The area was kind of drab and now it's beautiful. That's what Ive meant by reviving urban connections. The Apple store is an indoor, outdoor, upper level, lower level, river side store. It's simply stunning.

It being referred to as a town square isn't too far from the truth, because of the open space for events and an outdoor bar a few hundred feet away from the store. This is going to increase foot traffic significantly to the area and the river walk guaranteed.

 

[jmgregory1]

To some degree, I agree with you. But the stores can look like a subway station during rush hour!! So many people in there, you'd think there was a free giveaway or Beyonce was in there. I guess that's my point...sure some people go in to touch/see, but the masses in there...what are they doing in there?

I myself used to like going in to check out the latest and greatest, but because the stores are so busy now, I hardly ever go in.

I think the answer to your question is that the stores are packed because there are a lot of people shopping and buying Apple products - just look at their annual sales and it's clear they're generating huge numbers, which takes a lot of people going into their stores. It may have been different in the past, where people were in just to play with the various devices, but the last couple of times I've been in, a good half the people were in the process of buying something and the other half were in for Genius appointments.

 

[Bacillus]

Imagine living with Jony Ives... This non-sense would start with breakfast and last throughout the day.
This cereal has been engineered to perfectly fit in your mouth. They are perfectly round, as roundness is the essence of everything in the universe. The earth is round, too. We took inspiration from it. That's why the blue flakes on this cereal, which have been meticulously applied through a multi-step process that has never been done before, is there to highlight it's natural beauty. They are only 0.1 mm thin. The thinnest cereal ever placed in a bowl. This design language flows naturally to the bagel on your mom's plate... because simple is beautiful, it's amazing and just incredible.

It's not just coincidence that the guy has 6 or more cars and at least 3 drivers.
Most of which don't stay very long as driving him around with that particular, continuous, borderliner message flow really drives them nuts.
I don't know if any cars get crashed as their mindset becomes fatal - but I wouldn't be too surprised.

 

[manu chao]

They do! How many people buying the iPhone X on October 27th will be going to the Apple Store to try out the phone before buying? NONE. All of them will be buying it (happily) sight unseen, and online.

But the stores are usually full most of the time, so enough people must prefer it over online buying (enough as in for Apple to justify building and operating the stores).

I agree it is much less work to buy online and in my opinion (for most) unnecessary to go to a store. Read reviews online, watch YouTube review videos, make a decision, shop online, and if you don't like it, return it within the return policy guidelines.

I used to stroll through our local Apple store, but now with nothing new, nothing industry-changing, to put my hands on, it's been a couple years since I've been in one.

I also go to them rarely. I had a look at the watch when it came out. I went there to handle the Plus phones to see how I felt about operating one. But apart from that, I think they aren't really made for people like you and me.

 

[bluespark]

Love the look!

But what's that in the benches? It looks like a basketball?

I think those are small beanbag seats for children.

 

[JeffyTheQuik]

Because Windows computers are sold differently. They are available in many many many stores. People can even gather parts and build their own. It's not like no one uses windows computers. It is also because they never could get a phone platform successfully launched. If Microsoft had a sucessful phone that only they made, and if they were the only ones that made windows computers and sold them the same way Apple did, they would be busier too.

I get what you're saying, but there is a different vibe to the stores. I also went to the one in Salt Lake City (MS Store), and it was large and empty (5-10 customers), while the Apple Store in the same mall was more populated (50-80 customers) with more area. I know the Windows/Mac differences, but one small disagreement with your premise. One can buy a Mac/iPhone at pretty much any electronics store (iPhone more so than the Mac, but the iPhone is 80% of their revenue), Target, WalMart (who knew?), Best Buy, phone carrier stores.

At one time, I thought it was a fad, but this fad has continued for 13 years, and a lot of it has to do with Apple's culture, where you are asked if you need help as you come in, and can talk to the generous supply of Apple people at the store about your Apple products, or if it is slow, life, in general.

Nordstrom doesn't have that culture, nor does your local Target. The MS store does, and the employees are friendly, but it still doesn't have that "thing." It could be that, at the Alderwood Mall, the MS store isn't a destination, it is placed in the flow of traffic, in a high flow area, so if you were to stop there, you'd impede the flow of others. I do wish them well, as that competition will only make the product we use better.

As always, YMMV.
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But what are they doing in there? They've never seen or touched an iPhone before? Most of the product is stale, so they're not there to "see what's new!"...the same logic applies to the MS store...but there, my logic plays out as the store is empty.

As in my post above, it's kind of an "it" thing, and a cultural "Apple products are high end, because they cost more, yet me, the common man, goes in there, and I feel welcome."

11 years ago, I would never have purchased an Apple product. Too expensive, I don't want to buy all those programs over again, I don't want to learn *another* new O/S (I actually liked Vista), but I had a customer that owned Macs, and was asking me questions about them, and attaching them to a Windows Server environment. I'm a kinesthetic learner, so I bought one, and HATED it for the first month. Then, one day, it turned around. It clicked, and I haven't looked back.

The Apple Store helped out in the "how do I do this" aspect, and they took my issue and made it their personal mission to get an answer to me. When I visited the MS store to get a copy of Exchange Server, I was told to go find an MS Partner (I used to be one), and they'd get me "set up".

So, let me get this straight, I am a customer with money in hand, wanting to buy one of your products, and you tell me to go elsewhere to get it? (shades of Apple Watch, 2015)

 

[Glassed Silver]

Please tell me I'm not the only one who cringes when reading these
über-pretentious store descriptions, as if it were a gourmet dish at some trendoid restaurant.
I'm an Apple guy all of my life, but gee whiz, come on ....

All of this talk wouldn't even annoy me one bit if they could back it up with thoroughly great products that see frequent refreshes (if just spec-bumps as Apple tries to get a new design ready...) and are priced fairly, but with a premium instead of demanding ecosystem dependency ransom money.

Yeah, I think if Apple tried a bit harder, none of this would sound half as bad.

The way it is though they truly try to put lipstick on a pig. It's insulting to those who know a thing or two about tech and pretentiously dishonest to those who are tech illiterate.

Glassed Silver:mac

 

[truthertech]

Sorry you can't see it. The stores are not significantly different today than from day 1.

She clearly had both of Cook's ears when Apple tried - and spectacularly failed - to position the Watch as a luxury "fashion" statement, or have we forgotten the Edition, the paid PR fashionista editorials, the pop up boutiques in Galerie Lafayette, Selfridges etc.

It was a disastrous fail that should have seen her booted not rewarded.

When she has taken Apple Retail stores, etc., to most profitable stores in the entire world, by a huge margin, and you still want to have her fired, it's time for you to examine what exactly is it that you have a problem with regarding Ms. Ahrendts.
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wow! you really think those retail stores have heavy foot traffic because the way they are designed? That award winning design had anything to do with? The products and the engineering was nothing right?g
\

1) Apple is where it is because Jobs lead the creation of an ecosystem of products, that were stable and beautiful. It succeeded where microsoft failed because of their excellent engineering.

2) macbook also won awards, you know where you can stick that award and the macbook? yes.. that's where. I wouldn't touch that thing with 10 foot pool.

Personally, I don't go to the apple store. I could careless if the store was a hole in the wall. Just give me macbook pros with more than USB-C ports and competitive features with android. Google now products may not be sold in amazing stores, but majority of smart phones are andriod. That's just a fact...

Sorry that you are confused. The thread isn't about Apple overall; it's about Apple Retail and the performance of Apple Retail under Ms. Ahrendts. Now you can go back to your Android world. Meanwhile Apple will enjoy 95% of the the profits of the entire smart phone industry and Apple Retail will continue to lead the world in customer experience and massive revenue, that's just a fact.

 

[bketchum]

Regardless of language used, the store is utterly stunning.