In an effort to keep up iPhone numbers ahead of a quarter in which Apple expects sales to drop year-over-year for the first time, Apple will encourage Apple Store employees to sell more iPhones through a new rewards program. Apple informed retail staff of the new program today, and it will take place between February 21st and March 26th, according to sources.
The program’s goal is to push Apple retail employees to sell more iPhones by promising rewards and all-expense paid vacations to Cupertino, California to employees who sell the most iPhones in their region, according to sources. While this program is ultimately about selling more iPhones, Apple oddly positions it as a way to “celebrate” the success of the iPhone.
Additionally, while Apple explicitly tells employees that this program is about more than selling more iPhone units, sources say that the metrics for giving out rewards and vacations are: how many iPhones are sold per week, customer satisfaction, how many iPhone accessories are sold, and how often the iPhone Reuse and Recycle upgrade program is utilized in the store.
The best performing stores in their particular market during the February and March period based on the aforementioned metrics will win gear from Apple’s corporate gift shop in Cupertino in addition to a store-wide party, while the best performing individuals from each market will win the Cupertino trips. This move is yet another from Apple to boost iPhone sales, following this month’s announcements of a bigger iPhone trade-in push.
(Image via Getty Images)
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Commision system? Pushy salesmen pitch?
I’m working for Apple Retail and I have to say that I hate the idea. Apple wants to enrich people’s lives and this is just about quantities like any other Retail Store.
I’m a little bit disappointed – sure, I get that sales are important but the fact that pure quantities were never the main focus always made the customer experience great! I’m afraid this will change to colleagues “fighting” for a customer just to get a trip to Cupertino. Sorry that is not like Apple at all :(
I hope it doesn’t cause frictions with you/your colleagues. I saw a programme about car sales teams. They’re at each other’s throats fighting for sales on their monthly stats to out do each other. Awful way to work.
LOL how many times do they tell you not to post on social media? Yet here you are.
I agree. I can already imagine Apple employees holding guns to customers’ heads so they buy an iPhone.
Yeah, this is not typical Apple sales tactics. Who’s idea was this? Angela or Tim’s. I know it’s nice to reward employees in a sales environment, but customers like going to Apple store so we don’t feel like we’re getting pushed into buying something.
I think there are ways to improve morale for the employees at Apple Stores without resorting to commission type sales approach. I would support an hourly pay increase or handing out additional stock or stock options where it’s not tied directly to one’s performances, but rather the company’s performance as a total.
I agree with you. What we all have been told from core and pretty much even to this date is that it doesn’t really matter (too much at least) if you are numer 1 or number 10 in the statistics. Now it matters and of course this fancy cupertino trip only applies to Red Zone Specialists and Experts. Yet they still want FR to refer people and make biz intros.
To be completely honest i think this is going to damage the team spirit in the Red Zone and of course make FR and BOH less inclined on helping the teams because hey, it’s not like they will have a chance getting that trip unless they swap the majority of their shifts for RZ shifts.
This is not the Apple store we have gotten to know at all. A cash bonus would be the best. If everybody help meet the goals everybody in the store gets 1000$.
Oh dear. AA is a disaster to the long ter health of Apple retail- now we’re going to end up with slimy pushy sales tactics. It started with the upselling of watch, and now this.. I buy online but it’s one less reason to expert an honest sales expert
How was the watch up sold? I was in a store and an employee was actually advising something to buy the Sport over the Stainless Steel Watch.
Wow this seems like the complete opposite of what Angela Ahrendts had said/done in the past. I wonder if this was her idea or if it’s being pushed on her by Cook. Bad idea.
Horrible idea. This is a slippery slope than can lead to commission based systems that we hate other retail stores for. Employees should be appreciated but this is a toxic way of accomplishing that. Apple please reconsider this.
Apple should stop increasing iPhone prices in Europe to start with. Every other year, iPhone prices increase 50-60€, do not tell me that is to compensate currency flucuations because Apple’s price increases are much higher than that.
Also, if you’re asking 100€ for 48gb of added storage, you shouldn’t complain your sales are dropping.
iPhone is worth it’s money.
But the storage upgrades are not. Apple is greedy because of the fact they ask so much money for more storage.
How about Apple redirect that to decreasing the iPhone prices instead, that’s one way to get more sales.
Apple is turning more and more into the Apple that nearly went out of business. More complex product lineups, slipping QA levels, and now this.
Little bit gross…
This truly a sad day. This not the slippery slope – this is the bottom of the hill. Shameful.
Can’t say I like the idea, but it’s only for 1 month. So, I will reluctantly wait to see how it plays out.
Please Apple… NO PUSHY SALES PEOPLE! You will change the entire dynamic of your store and that will affect perception of your entire Eco system.
How about instead of pushing on customers you do something to increase pull from them, say like reducing the price!
don’t be shocked that they’re doing this – its literally the first time iphone sales have ever been projected to decline.
apple is a company that wants to make money just like every other company. its that simple.
As someone who used to work in retail for 3 years part-time while at uni, I can honestly say that commission based systems are the beginning of an end for a good customer service.
This will lead to employees being given their daily/weekly targets, everyone will be assigned their KPI’s and you’ll see nothing but stressed out employees regurgitate their sleazy, pushy sales tactics just to get you to buy their shit. This corporate mentality, or the lack of it therefore when it came to Apple, was what set it apart from all the other retailers, but now they will just join the gray mass. So much for ‘Think Different’.
I find this photo very interesting. Correct me if I’m wrong, but this is the kid that got his iPhone 6/6 Plus first and drop it on TV on the interview.
I think it is. Pretty cool photo for not being staged.
Apple strives to set itself apart from the competition. This tactic adds pressure on everyone from the top down. It’s a strategy which not only places Apple among the rest, but there are no *real* incentives being offered here. It’s a pressure move, and very unbecoming of the brand. Very disappointing.
One of the reasons i used to go to an Apple store was because i liked the one-on-one treatment… they were there to give me honest advice and not try to sell me anything i didnt want… nowadays i find the Apple ‘geniuses’ to know less and just end up being a regular person with a bit of training, rather than someone who knows Apples and the equipment…
If Apple implement this it will just be a sales shop – they will be pushing everything onto you “buy this phone… you want the 6Splus, it will be better for you…you should get the 128gb… you should get a colorful case…you should get apple care… you should get a screen protector – we can fit it too…we also recommend a watch – why not get the Apple Watch edition instead of the sports edition…oh and if you get an ipad air 3 we can maybe throw in a free generic case… and while youre at it, why not buy a mac”… They’ll give you the lamest reasons to push something on you.
Yes apple wants to make money – but they also want a good company people will go to – they need good quality products and good honest advice… there workers should be getting incentives to sell – it’s their job…although it’s not their only job… and in fact, companies that use this kind of technique end up losing good employees to those who are willing to sell their soul, and they also end up losing valuable customers who no longer trust the company.