Apple Retail

Molekule debuted the world’s first molecular air purifier with the “Air” back in 2017 and it arrived with a handy iOS app. Now the company is taking smart home connectivity a step further and bringing HomeKit support to its Mini+ molecular air purifier and it’s landing at Apple Stores and Apple.com in the US. Read on for a closer look at this top-notch HomeKit air purifier.

Express Pickup at Apple Aventura (Photo courtesy of @jgrano305)

Apple is significantly expanding its new Express Storefront pickup service to help safely serve customers in regions where full in-store service cannot resume due to COVID-19 conditions. The new accommodations arrive as Apple prepares to enter its busiest product launch season of the year. The iPhone 12, 12 Pro, 12 mini, new iPad Air, MagSafe accessories, and HomePod mini will all be available by mid-November.

Today at Apple is launching online in India, bringing together a new community of creatives with artists and makers from around the world. The free, global program of creative and educational sessions is kicking off just in time for Diwali with the Illuminating Creativity Series.

All photos courtesy of Brian King.

The new Apple Watch Hermès fall collection is featured in a fantastical, one-of-a-kind display at Apple Park Visitor Center. Apple updates the store’s displays seasonally with designs exclusive to its campus location, and this fall’s Apple Watch installation is the most impressive yet.

Update: The all-new Apple Valley Fair opens on October 23 at 8:00 a.m.

A totally redesigned and expanded Apple Valley Fair is almost ready to open in Santa Clara, California. The hometown store of many Apple employees and the nearest Apple Store to Cupertino outside of Apple’s campus has transformed into a showcase of Apple’s latest design. Graphics installed on the new store today read, “We’ve got something special in store for you. Our grand opening is coming soon.”

While Apple had to close most of its retail stores during the pandemic, more customers have been choosing to buy online. To speed up this process, Apple will now ship products from its store stocks so that it can guarantee even faster deliveries.

It’s been seven months since COVID-19 fundamentally changed the way Apple Stores operate. In that time, we’ve learned to accept the realities and limitations of a new store environment. We’ve seen new ideas that work remarkably well. And we’ve even discovered parts of the store experience that are nicer now than before the pandemic.

All photos courtesy of Dongjun Zhao.

Apple Oakridge Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia permanently closed on Saturday. The store celebrated its 11th and final anniversary just before going dark as Oakridge Centre prepares for an extensive renovation project.

For the first time, Apple customers in India can now shop from the Apple Store online. Apple announced last week that its virtual doors were set to open on September 23, and the store webpage is now live.

Today at Apple will host a week of virtual sessions this October to celebrate Day of the Girl, an international observance that recognizes the challenges girls face and promotes empowerment. The online creative sessions are a collaboration with Girls Who Code, a nonprofit organization that equips young women with the technology skills they need to succeed.

The Apple Store experience in 2020 has been defined by COVID-19 safety measures. But in the background, Apple has been steadily iterating on new ways to educate customers through improved store navigation. QR codes and NFC tags are beginning to serve an important role in how we shop and receive support.

The Apple Watch Series 6 and SE are now available at reopened Apple Stores, and Apple has created a more personal experience for customers hoping to size the new Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop bands.

Apple this week hosted two live events at its flagship store in Milan for the first time since the pandemic began. Film screenings celebrating Milano MovieWeek were held in the outdoor amphitheater at Apple Piazza Liberty, with safety measures and physical distancing enforced.

Apple RomaEst in Italy will permanently close on October 17 as Apple prepares to open a historic flagship store in the center of Rome. The plan to close Apple’s oldest store in Italy was outlined in early January, but delays due to COVID-19 significantly impacted the progress of the project.

Apple announced today that it plans to open its online store in India on September 23. The expansion will bring direct sales and an improved shopping experience to customers in the region for the first time.

Apple is trialing a new retail store format geared for fast and easy pickup of online orders with safety in mind. The concept design furthers Apple’s comprehensive response to COVID-19 and may help effectively serve customers during a busy upcoming season of new product launches.

Apple Cherry Hill in New Jersey reopened today in a totally new and redesigned space at Cherry Hill Mall. The new store boasts several unique design elements and brings a significantly improved experience for customers in Camden County.

How do you thank someone for 40 years of dedicated collaboration and support? If you’re Apple, you build a one-of-a-kind waterfront glass dome destined to become an international landmark. Starting today, the people of Singapore have a new space to share as Apple Marina Bay Sands opens its doors for the first time.

Apple Oakridge Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia will close its doors on September 26 after exactly 11 years in operation. The closure was expected following an announcement last month that redevelopment efforts would shutter the majority of Oakridge Centre until 2024.

Apple has designed and manufactured custom face masks for employees, as first reported by Bloomberg. The company has created what it calls the ‘Apple Face Mask’, which uses three layers of material to filter particles.. Apple has also purchased special clear masks from a third-party distributor; the first completely clear surgical mask to be approved by the FDA.

The clear mask will allow someone who is deaf or hard of hearing to be able to lipread what an employee is saying. The Apple masks will start being sent out to Apple’s corporate and retail employees over the next few weeks, replacing the standard cloth masks like those being worn by the employees pictured above.

Apple Marina Bay Sands opens on September 10 at 10 am. Apple has removed temporary decorations on the store’s glass dome, revealing the final appearance of Singapore’s new waterfront icon.