Macy's Becomes First U.S. Department Store With Dedicated Apple Section

[MacRumors]

Macy's today opened a new hub dedicated to Apple products at its flagship Herald Square store in Manhattan, becoming the first U.S. department store with a shopping area devoted to the brand, reports The Associated Press.

The store-within-a-store concept, similar to those found in Best Buy and Walmart stores, has four light wood tables featuring a wide range of Apple products, including the Apple Watch, iPhones, iPads, iMacs, and MacBooks.

"This is one of the most sought-after products," Terry Lundgren, the outgoing CEO of Macy's, told The Associated Press. "We really cater to women better than most retail stores do. I do think that we are going to end up creating a business that is more female-friendly.

Macy's new Apple partnership, in the works for years, comes as the department store chain aims to reverse six straight quarters of declines for a key sales measure. Macy's is collaborating with other brands to create a so-called mini-mall.

The dedicated Apple section, located near the main 34th Street entrance, will be densely staffed to accommodate the 35,000 to 40,000 customers, and up to 75,000 during the holidays, that visit Macy's Herald Square location each week.

Article Link: Macy's Becomes First U.S. Department Store With Dedicated Apple Section

 

[SteveJobs2.0]

Best But has a dedicated section. It doesn't do much different than when it was a section of Apple products arranged by Best Buy itself. There is more branding, but they are still using the same employees and carry about the same number of products, so it's not a major change for retailers that already carry Apple products.

If Apple could arrange for these stores to handle product repairs, then it would make it much easier for consumers to feel that they don't need to be close to an Apple Store to receive quality service.

 

[redscull]

If you live somewhere that doesn't have an Apple store, I guess this is a good thing. And you don't have to show up at a Wal Mart, also a good thing. But really, is this truly relevant? Does Apple really need all this extra presence, especially when it's not the full-on Apple store experience that actually sets Apple apart and gives it that specialness? It's like putting Apple in those mall kiosks. It's the opposite of special. It equates it to low-budget junk. Department stores are in the middle somewhere.

 

[ignatius345]

Eh, whatever. Macy's (or at least that one) started feeling like a sort of weird, inconvenient shopping mall at some point, with different brands all separated from one another in different areas. I guess that's just where retailing is at these days but it makes for a pretty unremarkable experience visiting the "largest department store" or whatever.

 

[thats all folks]

it's an odd fit for a store so built around confusing and confounding the process and the customer. looks like the staff will actually be Apple employees. wonder if it's really a department or just floor space shared with Apple to get people to actually come into the store. does this mean another 10 lines of small print at the bottom of every sales flyer and coupon?

 

[samden]

If you live somewhere that doesn't have an Apple store, I guess this is a good thing. And you don't have to show up at a Wal Mart, also a good thing. But really, is this truly relevant? Does Apple really need all this extra presence, especially when it's not the full-on Apple store experience that actually sets Apple apart and gives it that specialness? It's like putting Apple in those mall kiosks. It's the opposite of special. It equates it to low-budget junk. Department stores are in the middle somewhere.

Macy's isn't another Walmart, the stuff they carry isn't "low-budget junk" it is high end and name brand. Apple products will fit right in with those $80 plain white Tommy Hilfiger polos. It's not about Apple having more presence, it's about them having a partnership that will sell more products.

That being said I don't see this being much of a benefit to Macy's as Best Buy has carried Apple products for quite a while now. Or you know, the internet.

 

[gr8tfly]

Fry's had a "store within a store" over 10 years ago. So, kinda not the first [Macy's].

 

[cube]

This already happens in Europe: Store > Electronics department > Apple area

 

[baller1308]

A little odd considering Macy's doesn't sell any other electronic items or even appliances.

 

[Alfa108]

I bought my first Apple //e at the May Company in 1983. Which years ago was bought by Macy's I believe.

The more things change the more they stay the same.

 

[atsang]

A little odd considering Macy's doesn't sell any other electronic items or even appliances.

They do sell small appliances and other niche stuff that a Brookstone might carry. They already fitbits that go along with their sportswear.

 

[Iconoclysm]

Best But has a dedicated section.

Not a department store.

 

[fermat-au]

There are many of these store-within-a-stores in Australia, usually with one Apple employee to answer questions.

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

If you live somewhere that doesn't have an Apple store, I guess this is a good thing. And you don't have to show up at a Wal Mart, also a good thing. But really, is this truly relevant? Does Apple really need all this extra presence, especially when it's not the full-on Apple store experience that actually sets Apple apart and gives it that specialness? It's like putting Apple in those mall kiosks. It's the opposite of special. It equates it to low-budget junk. Department stores are in the middle somewhere.

Every customer going through this store sees Apple products all grouped together and laid out and can use them. There are people who don't use Apple products or avoid Apple stores or who don't get time to go through the crowds there. These people may see the Apple stuff and use one or two. They may order there or it may inspire them to order online later. It's an advertisement as much as anything else.

 

[kupkakez]

Macy's isn't another Walmart, the stuff they carry isn't "low-budget junk" it is high end and name brand. Apple products will fit right in with those $80 plain white Tommy Hilfiger polos. It's not about Apple having more presence, it's about them having a partnership that will sell more products.

That being said I don't see this being much of a benefit to Macy's as Best Buy has carried Apple products for quite a while now. Or you know, the internet.

Macy's most likely gets more foot traffic as they are typically anchor stores, a point of entrance in a mall vs Best Buy which is typically standalone.

edited to add: Assuming this spreads to other Macy's.

 

[iGeek2014]

This already happens in Europe: Store > Electronics department > Apple area

Yeah I was thinking places like Currys PC World here in the U.K. have a dedicated spot just for Apple products.

 

[Traverse]

I didn't know Macy's sold anything besides clothes and jewelry. Seems kind of out of place to pick up a MacBook Pro there.

 

[killawat]

This is no different than those mini stores/boutiques within along the wall within a nordstrom that have $$$ spendy brands , heck you can even buy a Tesla.

An Apple store in the middle of a Department store? "Honey lets go skylake I mean clothes shopping."

 

[CJM]

There's been one of these at my local John Lewis for a while now.

 

[Iconoclysm]

There are many of these store-within-a-stores in Australia, usually with one Apple employee to answer questions.

The store within a stores are usually in stores that sell PC's - not department stores.

 

[simonmet]

The store within a stores are usually in stores that sell PC's - not department stores.

The author means in department stores.

They've had dedicated Apple sections staffed by Apple employees in the two leading department store chains in Australia (and many dedicated electronics retailers also) for as long as I can remember, before they even had dedicated stores if I recall. So it seems odd they're only just beginning to do it in America now. Maybe because they prioritised building new dedicated Apple stores in their home market instead.

Kind of embarrassing to be launching this new partnership with such outdated Macs though.

 

[mcfrazieriv]

Macy's becomes the first department store to sell outdated Macs.

 

[Mr. Donahue]

I'm really starting to question what in the world is Apple trying to be? They might as well start making thongs and makeup eye shadow to match the iPhone color pallet. Why don't share some love for the Mac Pro and take the top place in the tech community. That fashion trend junk is the wrong way to go. It will not hold in the future. This game plan is a joke and Steve Jobs is rolling in his grave.

 

[Iconoclysm]

I'm really starting to question what in the world is Apple trying to be? They might as well start making thongs and makeup eye shadow to match the iPhone color pallet. Why don't share some love for the Mac Pro and take the top place in the tech community. That fashion trend junk is the wrong way to go. It will not hold in the future. This game plan is a joke and Steve Jobs is rolling in his grave.

Really? You do realize that every other major PC manufacturer out there once had products in department stores, right? Even game consoles used to be popular in them.

 

[Tork]

Of note for anyone who happens to have a Chase Freedom card -- this quarter's bonus category is department stores. 5% off, up to $1500. Easy way to score $75ish off a new Mac (if they're announced soon...) vs waiting for a sale.