Are you suggesting that there is no correlation between the most profitable retail stores in the world, and the fact that they are always packed full of people "not buying anything"?
How else would you explain the fact that any other retailer on the planet would drop their shorts for such a "problem"?
You're probably too young to remember. But back in my day Sam Goody used to be packed to the frills with casual browsing people who hardly bought anything.
Gone.
Wherehouse MUSIC used to be packed to the frills with casual browsing people who hardly bought anything.
Gone.
Tower Records used to be packed to the frills with casual browsing people who hardly bought anything except vinyls.
Gone.
Circuit City used to be packed to the frills - at least back in 97 and 98 - with casual browsing people who hardly bought anything.
Gone.
Gateway Computers used to be local. They had tons of people flocking to check out their cow-based computers.
Gone.
eMachines used to hold the monty on sales for literally starting the "cheap computer" craze we're seeing now. I remember being able to buy eMachines for $150 at one point.
Gone (bought out).
CompUSA used to have people browsing all the time as an alternative to Best Buy.
Gone.
Sharper Image had TONS of people - travelers and tourists as well as locals - in and out of their store all of the time because of the cool toys.
Gone.
Incredible Universe used to be PACKED with people. Half of them went to the games section and played for hours. The parents shopped for TVs and whatnot.
Gone.
Like Dorian Gray said in League of Extraordinary Gentlemen...empires crumble. There are no exceptions. Apple can keep up its cybercafé approach only so long before it's going to have to start reigning people in. 500 visitors and 5 buying something major is NOT a good ratio - just saying. They don't even have to lock things down all the way. But as was mentioned, right when school gets out and on the weekends is a downright nightmare with brats who sit on Facebook and Farmville for HOURS and never buy anything.
I also think it's a good idea to further isolate the Genius Bar - maybe behind double glass doors or something - to mute the noise of all of the people.
At my local Apple Store - which I HATE walking into - they're good people and I've never had a major malfunction but there are just TOO MANY non-buying people. There have been plenty of times I've walked in there with a bunch of cash, straight up to one of the nerds, and told them exactly what machine I wanted, and they're shocked. Like it's just unheard of. So I ask them and they're like, "yeah, we hardly ever get anyone who just buys something, most like it, but see the price and leave."
