Apple Retail

1,470 'Apple Retail' stories September 2010 - October 2014

Apple operates more than 500 retail stores across the globe.

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.

COVID-19: Changes to the Apple Store experience
Apple Stores: What makes them unique?
Hours and locations: Where can I find details about my local Apple Store?
Apple Store appointments: How can get I help?
The latest store openings and upgrades
Share your experience

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

Apple Dadeland (Miami, Florida)
Apple Tower Theatre (Los Angeles, California)
Apple Via del Corso (Rome, Italy)
Apple Downtown Nashville (Nashville, Tennessee)
Apple Fritz Farm (Lexington, Kentucky)
Apple Yeouido (Seoul, South Korea)
Apple Cherry Creek (Denver, Colorado)
Apple Southpoint (Durham, North Carolina)
Apple Lenox Square (Atlanta, Georgia)
Apple Valley Fair (Santa Clara, California)
Apple Cherry Hill (Cherry Hill, New Jersey)
Apple Marina Bay Sands (Singapore)
Apple Central World (Bangkok, Thailand)
Apple Sanlitun (Beijing, China)
Apple Reston (Reston, Virginia)
Apple Sydney (Sydney, Australia)
Apple Fairview (Toronto, Canada)
Apple SoNo Collection (Norwalk, Connecticut)
Apple Eaton Centre (Toronto, Canada)
Apple Kawasaki (Kawasaki, Japan)
Apple Hillsdale (San Mateo, California)
Apple Puerta del Sol (Madrid, Spain)
Apple Amsterdam (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Apple Maine Mall (South Portland, Maine)
Apple Old Orchard (Skokie, Illinois)
Apple Columbia (Columbia, Maryland)
Apple Shanghai iapm (Shanghai, China)
Apple Fukuoka (Fukuoka, Japan)
Apple Antara (Mexico City, Mexico)
Apple Fifth Avenue (New York, New York)

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.

New Apple retail stores opening in the US and Italy this weekend

Jordan Kahn Oct 7 2014 - 10:27 am PT

5 Comments

Apple is opening three new retail stores this weekend including one new store near Venice, Italy and two stores in the US.

We originally reported in June that the new stores were coming alongside others in China, Italy and the US as new retail chief Angela Ahrendts implements organizational restructuring for Apple retail.

Apple has now announced the upcoming grand openings on its website for three of the stores opening this Saturday. The new Italy store is located in the Centro commerciale Nave de Vero shopping centre in Marghera near Venice (via setteBIT).

Also opening this Saturday are two new stores in the US including one in Trumbull, Connecticut and another at Solomond Pond Mall in Marlborough, Massachusetts (via ifostore). All three of new stores will open at 10am local time this Saturday, October 11.

In addition to Trumbull and Marlborough, we reported in June that Apple also had also started hiring for new stores planned for Virginia Beach (Virginia) and Manchester (New Hampshire).

Apple Store app updated for iPhone 6/6 Plus

Zac Hall Oct 1 2014 - 1:23 pm PT

6 Comments

Nearly two weeks after customers first got their hands on the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus models, Apple has updated its Apple Store app to support the larger 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch screen sizes. The release notes add that version 3.0.1 includes an “iOS compatibility update” as well.

The app previously received a major overhaul ahead of the iPhone introduction bringing a single app that works on both iPhone and iPad, a new icon, and features for synchronizing shopping.

The Apple Store app for iPhone is available for free on the App Store.

Video of Rex Chapman’s Apple Store thefts surface as the former NBA player heads to court

Mike Beasley Sep 24 2014 - 8:19 pm PT

7 Comments

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vzCrL4iRl0]

Last week we brought you the story of former NBA player Rex Chapman’s arrest on charges of stealing $14,000 in merchandise from several Apple Retail Stores in Scottsdale, Arizona. Today Chapman appeared in court (via Engadget), facing multiple felony charges for trafficking in stolen property and organized retail theft.

The video of Chapman’s court appearance is above, but below you’ll find video of several instances in which Chapman stole products from the Apple Store after pretending he had checked out through the store’s EasyPay system.

Chapman will return to court on Friday.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykhtDHGW-gc]

Former NBA player stole $14,000 in Apple Store merchandise by pretending to checkout with EasyPay

Mike Beasley Sep 19 2014 - 8:30 pm PT

41 Comments

Image via <a href="https://twitter.com/azfamily/status/513110136039043072/" target="_blank">KTVK</a>

Former NBA player Rex Chapman was arrested today on nine counts of organized retail theft and five counts of trafficking stolen property after police discovered that he had stolen over $14,000 worth of merchandise from a Scottsdale, Arizona Apple Store, according to CBS Sports.

According to police, Chapman managed to get away with so much loot by pretending he was using the iPhone-based EasyPay system, which allows customers to check themselves out through the Apple Store application without the assistance of an employee. Except Chapman wasn’t actually scanning or paying for anything. He was just going through the motions.

After leaving the store, Chapman would then hit up a local pawn shop to offload the pilfered products at a profit.

During his 12-year NBA career, Chapman became the first player to ever sign to the Charlotte Hornets, then played for Washington, Miami, and Phoenix before retiring in 2000.

Apple iPhone 6 unboxing and first impressions (Video)

Dom Esposito Sep 19 2014 - 12:46 pm PT

12 Comments

Today we’re taking a look at Apple’s iPhone 6. Anxious fans queued up at Apple Stores across the world to get their hands on the latest and greatest from Cupertino. Apple has bumped up the display size to 4.7-inches on the iPhone 6 and also added a 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus model for phablet fans. For a closer look, be sure to check out our first impressions video…

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Tim Cook visits Palo Alto Apple Store for iPhone 6 launch as Angela Ahrendts welcomes Sydney

Zac Hall Sep 19 2014 - 8:06 am PT

6 Comments

<a href="https://twitter.com/martyn_williams/status/512977298446753792" target="_blank">via Martin Williams</a>

Apple’s leadership is out in full force today for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus launch across the globe.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has been spotted at the company’s local Apple Store in Palo Alto, California, to be a part of the crowd and watch the new iPhone debut. Cook reportedly joked with the crowd saying he got the new iPhone several months ago. As evident by Twitter, the Apple CEO has shared in the excitement by taking selfies with the crowd.

On the other side of the world, Apple’s recently appointed SVP of Retail and Online Stores Angela Ahrendts helped kick off the new iPhones launch in Sydney, Australia, where the iPhone went on sale at 8 am local time several hours ago.

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iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus take a beating in first ever drop test video

Dom Esposito Sep 18 2014 - 8:46 pm PT

44 Comments

Youtuber PhoneBuff has managed to get his hands on an iPhone 6 and 6 Plus at an Apple Store in Australia. In the video below, PhoneBuff puts these two devices through the ultimate torture test. Each device is dropped once on its back, on its side, and its face.

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Want to queue-jump to grab your iPhone 6? Homeless charity auctions off its spot

Ben Lovejoy Sep 18 2014 - 7:34 am PT

4 Comments

ebay

Update: The winning bid was £570 ($940).

If you’re in London and want to grab an iPhone 6 tomorrow morning without all that tedious queueing, the homeless charity Depaul UK can help. They’ve grabbed a space close to the front of the queue at the Regent Street store and are auctioning it off on eBay to raise funds for homeless, vulnerable and disadvantaged youngsters.

This auction is for one spot near the front of the queue outside the Apple Store on Regent Street, London for the launch of the iPhone 6 and a Depaul UK t-shirt.

This auction is for the physical space outside the Apple Store and a Depaul UK t-shirt, not the iPhone 6. Just turn up and take your place in the queue before the store opens to make your purchase.

The auction runs until 6am on Friday, with the store opening at 8am. At the time of writing, the high bid was £105.

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This is Apple’s retail store gameplan for iPhone 6/Plus launch

Sep 16 2014 - 8:44 am PT

109 Comments

The big day is almost here. After months of speculation, a momentous keynote from Tim Cook, and record preorders, the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus will officially hit store shelves this Friday. Apple is going to great lengths to ensure that Friday runs smoothly for its customers and employees.

We’ve tracked down Apple’s retail gameplan so you’ll know what to expect on launch day including what percentage of iPhones Apple Stores are required to hold back, refreshment times (Starbucks usually) and Personal Setup details …

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Apple giving retail employees iPhone 6… posters

Mark Gurman Sep 15 2014 - 8:43 am PT

22 Comments

In celebration of the launch of the iPhone 6, Apple Retail Store employees will each be given posters of the iPhone 6, we’re told. Not actual iPhones, but posters. The posters show a black phone with one of the colorful flower wallpapers from iOS 8. Steve Jobs gave out original iPhones to all employees back in 2007, but Apple hasn’t given out the latest hardware since that time. For 2015, perhaps they’ll get Apple Watches. Hopefully the gold ones.

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Apple’s employee reservation system seemingly excludes iPhone 6 Plus, lends weight to short supply rumors

Ben Lovejoy Sep 15 2014 - 5:43 am PT

5 Comments

Apple has advised store staff that those working overnight or morning shifts on Friday will be able to reserve an iPhone 6, but not a 6 Plus, if a tweeted photo is genuine (and we have evidence it is). This would lend further weight to longstanding rumors and overwhelming evidence that the 5.5-inch model would be in short supply …
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Apple to offer in-store pickup option for iPhone 6 preorders

Dom Esposito Sep 11 2014 - 12:39 pm PT

68 Comments

Pre-orders for the iPhone 6 will start at 12:01 a.m. PDT and will be available to purchase in Apple Stores on Sept. 19th, 2014, but what isn’t widely known is that it looks like Apple is kicking off Personal Pickup availability starting with preorders as well. This means that you’ll be able to preorder an iPhone 6 and select a store in your area and pick it up on launch day….

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Apple aims to make buying an iPhone 6 easier at its stores with new digital queue system

Sep 10 2014 - 2:20 pm PT

38 Comments

Image via <a href="http://www.ifoapplestore.com/2013/09/21/iphone-5s-debut-was-big-with-a-gold-shortage/" target="_blank">ifo Apple Store</a>

Apple has its product launches down to a science. But sometimes issues arise and not everyone can (or is willing to) remain in-line for several hours. That’s why Apple is set to revamp the purchase process for the iPhone 6 launch.

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Your iPhone 5s/5c is officially old hat: Apple Stores now accepting these devices for trade

Sep 10 2014 - 7:14 am PT

3 Comments

There’s a pretty good chance that you’re now looking at your iPhone 5c/5s with anger and disgust thanks to yesterday’s iPhone 6 announcement. The good news is that Apple will now accept these models for trade as part of its in-store Reuse and Recycle program. You’ll have to have an Apple Store employee run a trade-in quote on their EasyPay device for a specific value, but you can get a ballpark figure for your device by comparing it to the $310 we know a 16GB iPhone 5s (AT&T locked) is worth.

Although trading your iPhone in at an Apple store is extremely convenient, you should refer to our iPhone 6 trade-in guide if you’re looking to get the most money back. If you have an older iPhone (4/4s) and Verizon is your carrier of choice, then you’ll most likely want to take advantage of this free iPhone 6 trade offer.

PSA: Apple makes its Store events featuring famous actors/musicians/artists available as free iTunes downloads

Sep 8 2014 - 12:26 pm PT

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Apple isn’t just blowing hot air when they talk about their stores being a vessel to enrich their customers’ lives. Stores play host to summer camp, One to One lessons, Genius Bar troubleshooting appointments, and even special events that explore various art forms.

These events take place at some of Apple’s most prestigious store locations and feature famous actors, musicians, and artists. Past guests include the fashion tycoon Tom Ford, actor Ty Burrell (Modern Family), and platinum selling rap star Kendrick Lamar.

Since these events are only held at a few locations and store size greatly limits the amount of fans that can attend, we thought it would be helpful to remind you that Apple posts video and audio from these events on iTunes for free. The easiest way to keep up with new episodes is to subscribe to each series and follow along with Apple’s Podcasts app: Meet the Filmmaker, Meet the Musician, and Meet the Author. Check out the links on the righthand side of iTunes to preview upcoming events. Enjoy.

Apple and Disney Stores upgrading iBeacons and NFC scanners ahead of iPhone 6 launch

Mark Gurman Sep 7 2014 - 9:00 am PT

42 Comments

Apple and longtime partner Disney this week are bolstering their stores with upgraded versions of iBeacon sensors and NFC readers, according to sources. Apple Stores have had iBeacons stationed throughout showroom floors for several months as a way to pinpoint exactly where a customer is within the store. This allows Apple to better serve customers by providing relevant sales information to their iPhones and iPads while in the store. The upgrades happening this week within Apple Stores place several new Gimbal Series 20 Proximity Beacons across stores to make location tracking within the store even more accurate.

In addition to providing relevant information for the Apple Store app, iBeacons can be useful for NFC mobile payment technologies as a form of authentication. If Apple knows where a customer is in the store to a precise degree, it can ensure that is it wirelessly connecting to the correct iPhone for mobile payments. As has been widely reported, the new iPhone 6 and upcoming Apple wearable device will include new wireless sensors (including a near field communication chipset) to conduct mobile payments with credit cards stored in an upgraded Passbook application.

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AppleCare+ finally coming soon to Australia

Mark Gurman Sep 5 2014 - 9:49 am PT

2 Comments

AppleCare+ is coming for the first time to Australia in the coming weeks, according to a source. Apple will begin training Apple Store employees in Australia on how to sell the premium protection plan in the coming days. MacRumors is also reporting that the service is inbound to Down Under. iPhone and iPad users in Australia can currently only buy the less-expensive standard AppleCare plan. Apple revamped AppleCare+ for many countries earlier this year with an extended purchase window and by making the plan the standard. Apple typically adds a few new countries to its list of AppleCare countries with new iPhone launches, and with the iPhone 6 upon us, it makes sense that Australia (and potentially some other yet-to-be-supported countries) will get AppleCare+.

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Apple Store app redesigned, gains upcoming events feature, synchronized shopping

Mark Gurman Sep 4 2014 - 1:58 pm PT

3 Comments

Ahead of its major media event next week, Apple has issued a significant update to its Apple Store shopping iOS app. The first addition is a complete redesign for the iPhone and iPod touch application’s interface. The new design is more in-line with the recently released iPad variant. Speaking of the iPad version, the tablet-optimized layout is now a universal bundle (single download) with the iPhone/iPod touch version, and it has also gained support for making Apple Store One to One reservations. The app also has a new Stores section to search for upcoming events at local Apple Stores. There is also a new icon. Perhaps the most significant new feature is support for synchronizing shopping between iOS devices and desktop computers. For example, you can start shopping on your Mac and continue via the app on your iPhone. Apple (rightfully so) doesn’t want to a miss a single iPhone 6 or iWatch/iBand sale.

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Former Apple SVP of Retail Ron Johnson talks Apple and Microsoft Stores, offers surprising praise for Surface 3

Zac Hall Sep 4 2014 - 9:30 am PT

29 Comments

Former Apple Senior Vice President of Retail (then ousted JCPenney CEO) Ron Johnson made a somewhat rare public-facing appearance on Andreessen Horowitz’s podcast. The discussion comes in at just under half an hour and features the former head of Apple Retail discussing his experience with leading the Apple Store as well as the challenge for up-and-coming startup brands to afford brick-and-mortar retail channels, but more interesting from an Apple perspective is Johnson’s praise for Microsoft’s retail stores and the Surface 3 tablet that the company heavily markets against Apple’s MacBook Air.

“I think the Microsoft stores have succeeded much more than popular opinion. […] I think it’s really helped, for instance, the Surface 3. It’s a really great product and we all know that. Everyone who has tried a Surface 3 is pretty blown away with the software, the interaction, how it can be a tablet and a computer, its part of the future. Without those stores that Surface 3 wouldn’t be where it is today.”

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Helpful shift scheduler for Apple Store employees turning into App Store app for all

Mark Gurman Sep 2 2014 - 8:43 pm PT

3 Comments

A couple of years ago, Australia-based former Apple Retail Store employee Josh Hunt realized that he (and his colleagues) had a major problem: even with Apple’s cloud technologies, viewing his Apple Store work schedule was a pain. Apple’s internal network allows Apple Store employees to view their hours each day, but this information is not easily accessible from the Calendar application on the iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Hunt created a tool called Roster Genius that is a web extension to convert Apple’s internal calendaring system into a file that is compatible with the iOS and Mac calendar applications.

Roster Genius was a hit inside the Apple Retail world, and Hunt tells us that the service amassed 8,000 users in 14 countries. But Hunt shut down Roster Genius in favor of building something, alongside co-founder Sam Elliott, with larger implications: an App Store app with similar shift management functionality that could be used by all sorts of users, not just Apple Retail Store employees. The new app, launching in the coming months, is called Shifts, and as the developers tell us, “it is a calendar app, but made specifically for casual/part-time employees – that is, people who work different shifts every day.”

The application can connect to the schedules of others so that “you’ll be able to see when your days off align with your friends, and share your roster with a group of friends and coordinate for things to do on days off, organize the carpool or plan after-work drinks,” according to the developers. The interface for the app is very slick, and it boldly does not use the date picker as it instead relies on the numbered keypad for quickly entering in work times. As for the Apple Retail Store-optimized version, that’s coming back too.

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New Apple Store in Atlanta scheduled to open this weekend, new Toledo store under construction

Mike Beasley Sep 2 2014 - 6:46 pm PT

3 Comments

Toledo, OH Apple Store location (via <a href="https://twitter.com/edhunter/status/506949412678295553/" target="_blank">Ed Hunter</a>)

Apple has announced that the grand opening for its new Cumberland Mall store in Atlanta, Georgia will take place this Saturday, September 6th at 10 AM. The store will be the sixth Apple retail location in the state.

It looks like construction is ready to get underway at the Franklin Park Mall location in Toledo as well, which will become the eighth store in Ohio. The iconic black barricades that usually precede the appearance of an Apple Store have been put up in front of the upcoming location (as seen in the photo above from Ed Hunter on Twitter).

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Apple Store promoting upcoming iTunes Festival w/ pins and wristbands, music-related events

Zac Hall Aug 29 2014 - 8:49 am PT

0 Comments

After bringing the iTunes Festival to the US earlier this year at Austin SXSW, Apple’s annual music event in London kicking off next week has been the focus of much of the company’s attention recently. Earlier this week, Apple’s newly acquired Beats Music began promoting the iTunes Festival with a contest within the app to attend the festival.

Apple will also use its retail stores to further promote the event with iTunes Festival Pins to be worn by retail employees to “spark conversation about the event,” according to an internal document obtained by 9to5Mac. Retail employees will also receive iTunes Festival wristbands and redemption codes for music. Select Apple Stores will also host “music-related events” with local artists, according to the document.
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Apple successfully patents iconic glass cube design of Fifth Avenue store in NYC

Ben Lovejoy Aug 28 2014 - 4:00 am PT

6 Comments

A few weeks after Apple was granted a European trademark on the key design elements of its retail stores, the company has been awarded a U.S. patent on the iconic glass cube design of its Fifth Avenue store in Manhattan. Steve Jobs is one of those credited as an inventor.

Patently Apple reports that Apple also applied for a trademark for the design back in 2010, but no decision has yet been made on that.

Apple was granted a patent for the similarly iconic glass cylinder design for its Shanghai store back in 2012.

Apple has been renewing the interior design of its stores around the world, and creating a new organizational structure as Angela Ahrendts focuses on further international expansion. It is reportedly working on the largest Apple Store in the world in Dubai.

That Apple Store in the United Arab Emirates could be the world’s largest

Ben Lovejoy Aug 20 2014 - 4:48 am PT

3 Comments

Middle East luxury lifestyle magazine Edgar claims “insider knowledge” that the planned Apple Store in the United Arab Emirates will be the largest in the world, and will be located in a huge shopping mall in Dubai.

US-based tech giant Apple will open its biggest store in the world at Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates, EDGAR can exclusively reveal […] Our undisclosed source said that the store – which will be the biggest Apple has ever built – was originally planned to replace the current cinema complex …

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Apple Retail

Table of contents

COVID-19: Changes to the Apple Store experience

Apple Stores: What makes them unique?

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

Apple Store appointments: How can get I help?

The latest store openings and upgrades

Share your experience