Apple Retail

via <a href="https://twitter.com/iPhonemods/status/647119325090807808" target="_blank">Twitter</a>

While at least one person in the United States has already received their iPhone 6s after pre-ordering with the rest of us, iPhone 6s launch day has officially kicked off on the other side of the planet. The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus go on sale at 8 am local time in a dozen markets around the world. New Zealand goes first at authorized resellers as there are no Apple Stores in the country, then the first Apple Stores in Australia two hours later, followed Japan and China and others before starting in the United States 16 hours from the start.

Earlier this week, all models and configurations of iPhone 6s and 6s Plus became sold out online for pre-ordering with launch day delivery. The larger iPhone 6s Plus models were among the first to sell out for launch day, although that may be in part due to display production issues and not just demand. Still, Apple Stores and carriers alike will have limited launch day inventory if you’ve waited and decide to take a gamble at getting the model you want.

Do you plan to queue up outside your Apple Store for the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus this year or did you send your robot instead? Send your launch day photos to tips@9to5mac.com and check out the scenes below as you await your new iPhone.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Queuing at Apple Stores versus ordering online is one of those great divides. Those who queue describe it as an unmissable social experience, while those who order online see queueing as a way to get cold and wet while not getting your iPhone any earlier. But one enterprising woman in Sydney, Australia, has found a way to combine the two: fourth in the queue is her iPad-based telepresence robot … 
Expand
Expanding
Close

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 …

Expand
Expanding
Close

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. 
Expand
Expanding
Close

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…

Expand
Expanding
Close

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 … 
Expand
Expanding
Close

9to5Mac has obtained details about Apple’s launch plans for the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus on September 25th. Like previous years, Apple expects long lines for the new iPhone debut so has prepared a plan to help the process go smoothly …

Expand
Expanding
Close

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.

Expand
Expanding
Close

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 … 
Expand
Expanding
Close

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?

Expand
Expanding
Close

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.

Expand
Expanding
Close

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:

Expand
Expanding
Close

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.
Expand
Expanding
Close

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.

Expand
Expanding
Close

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.

Expand
Expanding
Close