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New Apple Retail Store to Offer 'Genius Lounge' Mall Kiosk?
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Tiles have an "ooooh shiny!" quality to them.
SandynJosh said:
Tiles have an "ooooh shiny!" quality to them.
I don't know about that "lounge" thing, last time I visited in May, I don't recall seeing anything that resembled a lounge at all inside the store and outside there were over-glorified mall benches. I don't consider a few fancy wooden benches and planters with plants a "lounge", unless they changed it since then. The MS store is a sad replica of the Apple store and I wandered inside and chuckled when I overheard some old-middle-aged guy spouting to the ever-nodding Microsoft Guru, the following: "I don't know what Bill Gates is thinking..they should have kept Windows XP, it's better than Vista and 7.."
I live in BFK... Err... West Kentucky. Usually we go to Nashville as it's a bit closer, but have been to Galleria a few times when a trip to SL was needed/wanted for other things, too. Agreed about how tiny the current store is. Was a bad spot to start in without being able to expand.
At first I thought they were talking about putting this outside the current store... I was wondering how they would do that, since it's already a bit crowded in that walkway.
So is this new spot the coffee kiosk right at the bottom of the nearby stairs by the food court?
At first I thought they were talking about putting this outside the current store... I was wondering how they would do that, since it's already a bit crowded in that walkway.
So is this new spot the coffee kiosk right at the bottom of the nearby stairs by the food court?
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I would like to know if Apple is planning to replace our mini store with a full sized version in Syracuse. It gets too crowded in there every weekend and the staff has taken to putting ropes up at the entrance for crowd control.
I would like to know if Apple is planning to replace our mini store with a full sized version in Syracuse. It gets too crowded in there every weekend and the staff has taken to putting ropes up at the entrance for crowd control.
Makes sense to me. Outside my apple store in natick, ma the trainers routinely make use of some tables and chairs set directly across from the store. This is just a more permanent and planned-out version of that.
Well the difference is the MS customers need a place to cool off after bringing their laptop to the whatever-they-call-geniuses only to be told "its a hardware issue, you need to get the hardware company to write a driver for that."
Apple customers don't hear that.
The Apple stores are always so crowded, I wonder why they need a lounge?
Congrats you St. Louisians - let us know how it is when it opens.
Apple customers don't hear that.
The Apple stores are always so crowded, I wonder why they need a lounge?
Congrats you St. Louisians - let us know how it is when it opens.
Part of the reason for having the kiosk in addition to the store might be to better facilitate their One-on-One and other personal education sessions. As it is now, the Apple employees and customers occupy many of the mall-owned sofas and chairs located near the store. Perhaps Apple is, in some way, incorporating this space (though in a different part of the mall since the whole store is moving).
Give us anStore in Edinburgh.
YES! We totally need one. Having to travel to Glasgow is a nightmare.
Friend Bar
It must be the new Friend Bar.
http://www.theonion.com/video/new-apple-friend-bar-gives-customers-someone-to-ta,17693/
It must be the new Friend Bar.
http://www.theonion.com/video/new-apple-friend-bar-gives-customers-someone-to-ta,17693/
Not tiles, stone from Apples private quarry in Italy.
http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2009/10/28/impressive-stone-floors-start-as-a-mountain/
Lounge for Genius Bar Customers
This could be a great idea. How often have you stood around a genius bar and seen somebody obviously waiting for their turn at the bar and solved their problem for them before they ever got to the bar. I've done it several times (mostly iPod customers - have you tried resetting it?). Having a lounge area where it is possible for customers to talk to each other would facilitate this. Good way to lower demand at the genius bar.
This could be a great idea. How often have you stood around a genius bar and seen somebody obviously waiting for their turn at the bar and solved their problem for them before they ever got to the bar. I've done it several times (mostly iPod customers - have you tried resetting it?). Having a lounge area where it is possible for customers to talk to each other would facilitate this. Good way to lower demand at the genius bar.
I use to work at their current "mini" location, and they are LONG overdue for a new store. It's nice that they are going to go beyond "just another store."
The managers and employees at the mini store have had to be amazingly flexible to provide the quality of service they have, since they probably outgrew that store 3 years ago.
The new store location is a fantastic spot in that mall, and this new concept I think will work really well. I'll be anxious to hear from the old co-workers that are still there what their take is on it.
The managers and employees at the mini store have had to be amazingly flexible to provide the quality of service they have, since they probably outgrew that store 3 years ago.
The new store location is a fantastic spot in that mall, and this new concept I think will work really well. I'll be anxious to hear from the old co-workers that are still there what their take is on it.
Meh. Not as unique as you think. The Green Hills Mall store in Nashville has two benches just outside the entrance. An Apple employee checks customers in with an iPad and everyone "lounges" on the benches until their # is called.
Not surprisingly, there is also a Starbucks nearby. Cupertino and Seattle are in cahoots!
Not surprisingly, there is also a Starbucks nearby. Cupertino and Seattle are in cahoots!
Hopefully it will happen soon!
http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/edinburgh/Apple-plans-to-open-first.6565545.jp
I worked for a number of mall developers over the years. I guarantee you that Apple isn't spending a dime on the build out of this store. General Growth is paying for everything.
I actually used to manage the West County Mall. At the time, the Apple store did more in sales than Lord and Taylor (now closed). We're talking several thousand dollars per square foot in sales.
That's actually not that uncommon. Many retailers own their own quarry (or mountain) so that all of their stores are able to have the exact same tile.
I live in BFK... Err... West Kentucky. Usually we go to Nashville as it's a bit closer, but have been to Galleria a few times when a trip to SL was needed/wanted for other things, too. Agreed about how tiny the current store is. Was a bad spot to start in without being able to expand.
At first I thought they were talking about putting this outside the current store... I was wondering how they would do that, since it's already a bit crowded in that walkway.
So is this new spot the coffee kiosk right at the bottom of the nearby stairs by the food court?
No. Upper level, next to the new Nordstrom. If you're standing at the entrance of the existing Apple store, looking out, it's to the left and on the opposite side of the concourse. It's at center court and I'd venture a guess that the Galleria will have some more subdued holiday decor in this part of the mall this year, ie a smaller tree and no hanging crap in front of this store.
At the developer I was working for last year Apple made holiday decor a part of their new lease. No decorations or trees are allowed within a defined area surrounding the store on either level, so as not to block visibility. (I guarantee you the developer will ignore this clause, and I plan to take pictures and let Apple know that the developer is in default.)
I'm really happy to see this; the West County location was farther away, but generally an easier shopping experience. The new Galleria location is right by the south parking garage entrance on the second level -- which is the one I usually use when I'm going to the current Apple store there. My experiences at both locations have always been outstanding; we have great crews working there. But -- especially since iPad launched -- the crowds can be outrageous.
I'm sure the owner of the Starbucks cart right out front is thrilled. They've never been lacking for customers anyway, but this is a captive audience. I always thought the Apple store at West County should've taken the spot of the B Dalton's across from Cinnabon (and another Starbucks cart) and hit the caffeine-sugar-Mac trifecta.
I'm sure the owner of the Starbucks cart right out front is thrilled. They've never been lacking for customers anyway, but this is a captive audience. I always thought the Apple store at West County should've taken the spot of the B Dalton's across from Cinnabon (and another Starbucks cart) and hit the caffeine-sugar-Mac trifecta.
I live in U. City, about 5 mins. away and will be glad to see the old human sardine can replaced by something bigger and better. The West County store is too far out of my way. I do hope the Genius quality remains first rate as it has been at the store.