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Apple Retail

1,470 'Apple Retail' stories September 2010 - September 2015
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Apple operates more than 500 retail stores across the globe.

iphone 16 pro max apple store

Apple operates more than 500 retail stores in 22 countries. Under the direction of Deirdre O’Brien, Apple Stores are staffed by more than 70,000 team members and 3,000 Creative Pros. Here’s everything you need to know about Apple Retail including COVID-19 status, new store openings, and the latest news.

Table of contents

COVID-19: Changes to the Apple Store experience

Wondering about the status of your local Apple Store? Check out our COVID-19 Reopening Tracker, which includes a full map of open stores, health and safety procedures, and all the information you need to know before your visit.

Apple Stores: What makes them unique?

Beyond their award-winning architecture and landmark designs, Apple Stores are known for their focus on education and creativity. Over 250,000 free Today at Apple sessions were offered to the community each quarter prior to the pandemic. New stores are designed with a Video Wall and gathering area for Today at Apple known as the Forum. Older “classic” locations are being upgraded to accommodate the same experience.

Hours and locations: Where can I find details about my local Apple Store?

Apple’s website has a great tool for finding nearby locations and store hours; just type in your address or zip code to get started. You can learn more about the design and details of Apple Stores at The Apple Store Glossary.

Apple Store appointments: How can get I help?

If you’re having a problem with your device or want to shop with a knowledgeable Specialist, take the time to make an appointment before your Apple Store visit. If you need to make a Genius Bar appointment or contact Apple Support, visit Apple’s website. To schedule a shopping session, visit this link or open the Apple Store app.

The latest store openings and upgrades

Share your experience

If you attend a store opening, spot something interesting, or attend a great Today at Apple session, we’d love to see and share your photos.

Video: Apple opens redesigned Brussels Apple Store, featuring indoor trees and new touch-sensitive tables

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Sep 19 2015 - 8:23 am PT
27 Comments

In Belgium, Apple has opened its first ‘next-gen’ redesigned Apple Store in Brussels. The store features huge glass panes that curve around the exterior. The store has also reduced its reliance on backlit screen panels. Instead, Apple is relying on a single huge screen that covers one wall which will serve many purposes, including retail training and product marketing.

Inside, Apple has installed two rows of plant pots with real trees growing inside the store. Even more incredibly, the product tables (made of fine redwood) are actually motion sensitive with power outlets revolving into view when it detects people are nearby. Reader Franklin Schrans has sent in a video showing the cool moving tables in action …


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Apple’s new company store to sell devices for the first time, new collection of Apple branded merchandise

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Sep 18 2015 - 10:04 am PT
7 Comments

Update: Images of the new store’s facade below via @MikesiOSHelp and @thequinntaylor.

With Apple’s redesigned company store set to open this weekend, details of changes to the new store have been highlighted in a memo to employees (via MacMagazine). Among the changes, the new Apple company store will for the first time sell Apple devices including the iPhone, iPad, Macs, and Apple Watch. The store is also re-opening with a new collection of Apple-branded merchandise including clothing, mugs, and other collectibles that are only available at the company store. 
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Incipio acquires Incase, adding to stable of Apple-focused case + accessory brands

Avatar for Jeremy Horwitz Sep 16 2015 - 6:00 am PT
6 Comments

Incase, maker of numerous laptop bags and cases for Apple devices, has been acquired by Incipio, the growing developer of cases, electronic accessories, and wireless speakers based in Orange County, California. Announced today, the acquisition is expected to expand Incase’s distribution and improve its logistics for further international expansion.

Known for years as one of the top Mac, iPhone, and iPod case makers featured in Apple’s retail stores, Incase even developed commemorative cases to mark the openings of new Apple Store locations, and has long maintained a reputation for high-quality products. The company was previously acquired by investment group Swander Pace Capital in 2010, and now joins the Incipio stable of brands including Braven, Tavik, and Clam Case…


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Jony Ive-designed Apple company store at 1 Infinite Loop re-opens Saturday, possibly with big changes

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Sep 15 2015 - 5:01 am PT
7 Comments

The Apple Company Store on its 1 Infinite Loop campus, which closed for major refurbishment back in June, will re-open at 10am on Saturday – the same day its first Belgium store opens. Apple announced the Grand Reopening on its retail site.

With Jony Ive now having responsibility for all aspects of design – including retail stores – it should be interesting to see how it’s changed.

The Company Store has always been quite a different experience to all other Apple retail stores, with no iPhones, iPads or Macs on sale. Instead, the store has majored on Apple-branded clothing and other brand-oriented products. But sources told us back in June that things may be very different when it reopens … 
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Apple discontinues combined Apple Watch + iPhone AppleCare packages

Avatar for Mark Gurman Sep 14 2015 - 9:05 am PT
4 Comments

 

On the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus announcement day, Apple increased the pricing of its AppleCare+ protection plan from $99 to $129. We’ve since discovered that Apple has additionally discontinued its combined plans for the Apple Watch and iPhone. Since the launch of the Apple Watch earlier this year, Apple offered combined packages that allowed a customer to protect both devices on a single plan. Now, customers must purchase both plans separately. The combined packages did not bring any discount or value over purchasing the plans separately, so the discontinuation of the program does not come as a major change for consumers. Apple has told employees that customers who have already purchased the combined plans will not be affected through their deals.

Apple video showcases the art & artists behind the opening of its new Brussels store

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Sep 14 2015 - 5:52 am PT
1 Comment

In the run-up to Saturday’s opening of the first Apple Store in Belgium, Apple has uploaded a video showcasing the artists behind the comic art it is featuring on the hoardings outside the store. Brussels is known for its comic art, with many young artists moving there to further their careers.

Apple asked 20 artists to each create five images to help tell the story of the city. The paintings are displayed along with the slogan ‘The creativity continues.’

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=41&v=dC7WPAH35AQ]

Featuring local artists at soon-to-be-opened stores seems to now have become standard practice for Apple. We’ve seen calligraphy used in Hangzhou, a combined painting and photo in Chongqing, and a mural in Miami.

The Apple Store goes down ahead of iPhone 6S/iPad Pro/Apple TV event later today

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Sep 9 2015 - 4:03 am PT
8 Comments

As expected, the Apple Store has gone down ahead of Apple’s Hey Siri event later today at 10 AM PST. Although we don’t expect the iPhone, iPad Pro or Apple TV to be available to buy today, the site will return with information about the new products after the presentation is over. There is a chance that Apple’s updates to Apple Watch — new band colors and a new gold Sport watch — may be available immediately.


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Apple officially confirms first Apple Store in Belgium opens in Brussels on 19th September

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Sep 4 2015 - 5:42 am PT
17 Comments

Apple has now officially confirmed the opening date of its first Belgian retail store, opening in Brussels on 19th September. The date is shown on the hoarding outside the new store, located on Avenue de la Toison d’Or (also known as Gulden Vlieslaan), and was confirmed by Apple to ANV.

The wording on the hoarding reads ‘Creativity, to be continued,’ and features paintings by local artists (below). The store is a large one, at 1500 square metres, reports iCulture. The store is not yet shown on Apple’s website.

We first saw job listings for Apple Store-specific roles in Brussels as long ago as December 2014, with more seen in May of this year … 
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Patent application suggests possible Apple Watch-style interactive demo units for iPhones

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Sep 3 2015 - 5:30 am PT
0 Comments

As anyone who’s tried one of the interactive demo units for the Apple Watch will know, it’s a pretty effective way to understand what the Watch can do. From a patent application published today, it appears Apple may be considering doing the same thing with future iPhones.

While iPhone users may consider the devices pretty self-explanatory, and wonder why such interactive displays might be needed, the patent text does give one clue. The description specifically references Bluetooth devices as a potential application of the technology.

An electronic device may include features that require communication with another electronic device. For example, a Bluetooth accessory offered for sale may require a separate electronic device, such as a cellular telephone, to operate particular features of the Bluetooth accessory. These features may be desirable to demonstrate to a potential customer considering a purchase.

It’s also possible the units could be used to demonstrate how the iPhone interacts with cloud services, like Apple Music.

We include our standard disclaimer: just because Apple patents something doesn’t mean it will do it, but it’s certainly an interesting idea.

Via Patently Apple

‘Next generation’ Apple Store redesigns to start rolling out this fall, Memphis one of the first in the US

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Sep 1 2015 - 5:03 am PT
10 Comments

A planning permission meeting for a new Apple Store in Memphis has seemingly revealed more information about Apple’s plans for its retail stores. According to the Apple representative, the Memphis project represents one of the first ‘next generation’ Apple Store designs that Apple is rolling out around the world, starting in the fall. The Memphis store will be part of the first rollout of the new look stores in the US.

So what does the ‘next generation’ Apple Store look like?


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Apple rolling out, encouraging mobile Apple Watch try-ons across stores

Avatar for Mark Gurman Aug 28 2015 - 10:30 am PT
6 Comments
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Apple is continuing to tweak its Apple Watch showroom experience within Apple Stores. Upon the initial rollout of the Apple Watch in April, Apple Stores installed large glass tables as a showcase for the different Apple Watch variations. Customers could test drive the Apple Watch via a demo unit connected to an iPad mini or try it on at a series of try-on stations. Following a pilot program across select Apple Stores across the world, Apple has now begun a widespread rollout of a new Apple Watch testing program called Mobile Try-On, according to Apple Retail employees.


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Apple to retire One to One Apple Store training program Sept. 28th

Avatar for Mark Gurman Aug 28 2015 - 9:25 am PT
27 Comments
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Apple is planning to retire its long existing One to One training program within Apple Stores on September 28th, according to a memo sent this week to Apple retail employees. One to One launched in 2007 as a $99 per year subscription program where a Mac user could make appointments with a “Creative” at an Apple Store to learn more about using their Mac and creating content with either consumer or professional applications. Apple cites “fewer customers” signing up for One to One as the reason behind the service’s upcoming closure:


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As expected, Apple replaces iPad Smart Signs with new ‘Pricing’ apps on demo devices in Apple Stores

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Aug 26 2015 - 8:35 am PT
7 Comments

As 9to5Mac exclusively reported last week, Apple has now ditched the Smart Signs in Apple Stores — the tethered iPads which displayed product specifications and pricing information next to the demo units in retail shops. Instead, Apple has loaded a new app called ‘Pricing’ on demo MacBooks, iPads and iPhones which contains the same information.


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Apple Watch demand ‘so strong’ says Best Buy CEO, expanding availability to all stores

Avatar for Zac Hall Aug 25 2015 - 8:07 am PT
9 Comments

While Apple has been mostly mum on the numbers behind Apple Watch sales so far, Best Buy is standing behind the iPhone maker’s general message that the Apple Watch has been a hit with customers. The electronics retailer started selling Apple Watches this month in select stores, first in the United States and later in Canada, and today Best Buy’s CEO Hubert Joly said Apple Watch demand has been “so strong” both online and in stores as the retailer plans to carry the smartwatch at even more locations.
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Apple promoting Apple Music in Snapchat with sponsored geofilter

Avatar for Mark Gurman Aug 24 2015 - 2:49 pm PT
2 Comments

Apple has once again distanced itself from its past efforts in order to market its new Apple Music streaming service. The company has begun promoting the service using a unique geofilter in the popular Snapchat messaging application. The geofilter has showed up in select areas of Los Angeles, including at The Grove mall where an Apple Store is located.


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Angela Ahrendts: As back-to-school gift, Apple Watch will let students peek at small screen

Avatar for Mark Gurman Aug 24 2015 - 2:20 pm PT
26 Comments

In her latest video to retail store employees, Apple Senior Vice President of Retail and Online Stores Angela Ahrendts discusses upcoming deeper integration of business sales across Apple Retail Stores as well as new back to school sales tactics for the Apple Watch. Currently, sales to small and medium-sized businesses via Apple Stores are mostly handled by a small group of specialized employees. Ahrendts says that she wants all employees to “own” business sales in order to provide a better experience to business customers.


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Apple Store Smart Signs will be globally replaced with Mac and iOS apps

Avatar for Mark Gurman Aug 24 2015 - 11:21 am PT
1 Comment

Last week, we reported that Apple is preparing to launch a couple of significant changes for Apple Retail stores this upcoming Wednesday. Besides demoting iPods to the accessory shelves on the sides of Apple Stores, Apple will be removing the long-existing iPad-based Smart Signs. These are the iPads that sit alongside iPhones, iPads, and Macs in the stores explaining pricing and other pertinent information. Now, we’ve gathered a few more details. First, sources say that this will be a change across all Apple Stores across the globe, not just stores in the United States. More significantly, we now know what will replace the Smart Sign functionality: new dedicated pricing apps on both in-store Macs and iOS devices…


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Apple to revamp & integrate Genius Bar, Workshop scheduling into Apple.com

Avatar for Mark Gurman Aug 22 2015 - 5:22 pm PT
6 Comments

Apple is continuing to transition its three main retail outlets, its physical retail stores, online store, and main website, into a single experience. Following the deep integration of the Apple Online Store throughout Apple.com, Apple is set to integrate its appointment scheduling services for the Genius Bar and in-store workshops deeply into the main website, according to sources briefed on the plans. The latest indications are that Apple will roll out these significant retail changes as soon as Tuesday, August 25th.


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How-To: Get the best iPhone trade-in price deal to help buy a new iPhone 6S

Avatar for Jeremy Horwitz Aug 20 2015 - 12:47 pm PT
16 Comments

Update: In the year since we posted this, we’ve decided to seek out the best partner and do the trade ins ourselves. After doing a lot of research, we’ve decided to work with Myphonesunlimited who consistently offer the best prices for iPhones, iPads and other Apple, Windows and Android devices. Go check them out.

 

 

 

Apple releases new iPhones every fall, guaranteeing that a massive number of old iPhones will be traded in or sold. The rush will dramatically change the market for used iPhones, so I wanted to help you stay ahead of the curve and get the best deal possible. Having just sold my own iPhone 6 Plus to upgrade to a newer model, I have some strong opinions about your smartest options.

Below, I’ve put together a guide to some of the iPhone selling and trade-in options you should consider. There’s no single “right” answer, since some options trade greater convenience for lower prices, and others have higher prices but greater risks or hassles. You can choose the one that’s best for your needs, but whatever you do, make your choice before iPhone values begin to fall…


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Apple Watch takes over Selfridges in London with eye-catching floral display

Avatar for Zac Hall Aug 20 2015 - 12:12 pm PT
4 Comments

Apple has long been known to extravagantly deck out its own retail stores with eye-catching window displays featuring flagship products at key times, and unsurprisingly it’s treating the 24 window displays that wrap around Selfridges’ high-end retail store in London just the same. Profiled today by Wallpaper.com, the massive display of detailed floral shots easily catches the attention of window shoppers to advertise the Apple Watch. The profile also shows previous themes used by Apple to advertise the Apple Watch’s availability at the high-end retailer and includes some interesting details about the display as well:
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After Best Buy in US & Canada, Apple Watch goes on sale at other retailers around the world

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Aug 20 2015 - 6:35 am PT
1 Comment

Following Apple’s decision to make the Apple Watch available for sale in Best Buy in the U.S. and Canada, it has been making a similar move in other countries. It is already available through select branches of the Australian department store chain MYER, and iPhone Addict reports that it will go on sale through French electronics retailer FNAC as of tomorrow. More chains are likely to follow in other countries.

MYER has an extensive presence across Australia, though currently sells the Apple Watch at only four of the largest ones, in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. FNAC has more than 100 stores throughout France, sales beginning tomorrow with the website and the company’s flagship store on Paris’s famous Champs Elysées, with other stores following at some point next week. The store already sells a range of accessories … 
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Conflicting reports surface over Dubai Apple Store plans and UAE-granted exemption

Avatar for Zac Hall Aug 19 2015 - 9:40 am PT
0 Comments

Apple has been eyeing the prospect of opening a retail store in Dubai for quite some time now with hiring starting almost exactly a year ago and a UAE newspaper claiming three months ago that a 50,000 square foot store would open this month.

Up until now, however, legal issues over foreign ownership laws in the UAE have presented roadblocks from that happening, and today Bloomberg reported that Apple has been granted a significant exemption resolving that issue:

Apple Inc. has been granted an exemption from foreign ownership laws in the United Arab Emirates that will allow it 100 percent control of operations in the country, according to two people with knowledge of the matter.

The report goes on to say that the exemption being issued was a condition that Apple required being met before it would open a retail store in the region, adding that plans to open a new store this year are still underway.

Countering the claim, however, is Gulf News reporting that Apple has not been granted 100 percent control of operations in the UAE. The conflicting report cites a specific government official in denying that Apple has been given such an exemption:

“Apple was licenced in the UAE through the Ministry of Economy according to the requirements of, and in compliance with the Commercial Companies Law, as well as the ministerial resolution on foreign company branches. Within this mandate, branches of foreign companies in the UAE have full management rights provided they work through an Emirati service agent,” he said.

Despite the conflicting reports, it seems clear Apple is moving forward with its plans to open up shop in the UAE, although the legal tightrope walk may make that happen later than expected.

Apple to simplify retail stores by demoting iPods to shelves, dropping iPad Smart Signs

Avatar for Mark Gurman Aug 18 2015 - 8:14 pm PT
16 Comments
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Apple is preparing to make significant changes to its stores to simplify the experience by relocating iPod stock to accessory shelves and removing iPad-based Smart Signs, according to several Apple Retail managers briefed today on the plans. Apple will begin rolling out these notable changes overnight on Tuesday of next week to stores in the United States so that customers who begin coming in on Wednesday see the refreshed look.


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