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Apple Retail

1,478 'Apple Retail' stories September 2010 - October 2014
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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.

Retina iMac now available for purchase as Apple Store comes back online following keynote

Avatar for Mike Beasley Oct 16 2014 - 11:43 am PT
12 Comments
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The Apple Store online is back up following today’s event and there are a bunch of new products to check out. The new iMac with Retina 5K display is now available for purchase starting at $2499 for the base model. The updated Mac Mini is also available with prices ranging from $499 to $999.

If you’re more interested in the new iPad models announced today, you can check out pricing and configuration info for the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 before ordering starts tomorrow. Older iPad models are still available at reduced prices as part of an ever-expanding lineup of tablets.


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Apple reportedly dropping Fitbit wearables from its retail stores

Avatar for Zac Hall Oct 15 2014 - 9:53 am PT
9 Comments
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According to Re/code, Apple may soon drop the Fitbit health tracking devices from its retail stores. The report lacked a specific reason for Apple planning to no longer carry Fitbit bands but noted Fitbit’s lack of support for HealthKit on iOS 8 so far as well as Apple’s own fitness tracking device plans with the release of the Apple Watch in 2015.


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Apple Stores now sell accessories for your dog with $99 Whistle Activity Monitor

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Oct 14 2014 - 9:25 am PT
5 Comments

You can now buy an iPhone-connected accessory for your dog through Apple Stores as the Whistle Activity Monitor officially goes on sale in Apple’s retail stores in North America. The product was previously available through select retailers and online, but today arrives as the Apple Store’s first iPhone accessory specifically for dog owners. The company has also added some new features and dropped the price to $99 to accompany the Apple Store launch:

In addition to making Whistle more widely available to the nearly 68 percent of U.S. households with a pet (1), Whistle has announced two new tech capabilities to further simplify the important daily responsibilities of pet ownership: a brand new IFTTT (If This Then That) channel and custom in-app medication reminders.

The Whistle Activity Monitor attaches to any existing dog collar, syncs over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and allows dog owners to track a number of health and fitness related metrics for their pet through a companion iOS app. The app also lets users set goals, get reminders for activities and medication, and share updates with family members or others added as owners in the app. The San Francisco-based company was previously only selling the product through major retailers Amazon, PetSmart and Brookstone after launching last year. It also unveiled a new tracker for dogs earlier this year called WhistleGPS that will include GPS tracking features for a monthly subscription in addition to activity tracking.

The Whistle Activity Monitor is available in Apple Stores in the US and Canada starting today for $99. It’s also now available from Amazon and elsewhere for the new $99 price point. That’s down from $129, which is how much it will charge for the newer WhistleGPS that it’s now accepting preorders for. It joins the many other home automation and fitness products Apple is pushing in retail stores alongside its new iOS 8 Health and HomeKit features, but it’s the first on Apple Store shelves specifically made for pet owners. 

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSCf-K245BU]

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New Apple retail locations opening in New Hampshire, Florida, & Scotland this week

Avatar for Mike Beasley Oct 13 2014 - 6:22 pm PT
2 Comments

Apple will be expanding its retail operations to three new locations in Florida, New Hampshire, and Scotland this week. The first store will open on Thursday at Sarasota, Florida’s University Town Center. The second will be located in the Mall of New Hampshire (pictured above) in Manchester and will open on Saturday, October 18th (via MacRumors). Edinburgh, Scotland is also due for a new Apple Store opening at 10 Princes Street on Saturday, October 18th. You can see current photos of the venue for the future Edinburgh Apple Store above.
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Apple Pay setup detailed & retailers begin training as service launches at Apple HQ

Avatar for Mark Gurman Oct 12 2014 - 3:22 pm PT
25 Comments
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The launch of Apple Pay, Apple’s NFC and Touch ID-based mobile payment solution, is upon us. Apple has begun preparing for the launch by kicking off Apple Pay training programs for its own group of retail store employees and by working with retailers to prepare for the debut later this month. The training materials, shared by a reliable source, for the Apple Pay launch at Apple retail stores have also detailed some new specifics regarding the Apple Pay setup and transaction processes both on customer iPhones and in Apple retail stores…


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Apple reportedly removing Bose products from retail stores as NFL bans & Bose sues Beats

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Oct 10 2014 - 7:23 am PT
54 Comments
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Bose headphones and audio products could soon get the boot from Apple retail stores, according to a report from MacRumors citing “a reliable source.”

While Apple’s acquisition of Beats would seem like the obvious reason behind replacing the many Bose headphones and speakers currently used with iOS and Mac demo units, the report also claims that Apple will be removing Bose products from store shelves in addition to the demo units.
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Second Apple Store in Turkey appears to be nearing completion

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Oct 10 2014 - 1:30 am PT
5 Comments
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Apple’s second retail store in Turkey appears to be finally nearing completion, as Apple branding has been added to the black cladding on the storefront in photos posted by Apple Toolbox as the company confirmed its plans to open the store.

Apple opened its first store in the country back in April, on the European side of the city, first announced during a meeting between Tim Cook and President Abdullah Gül. Istanbul straddles the European and Asian continents, and the second store is located in the Asian side, in a shopping mall called Akasya … 
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New Apple retail stores opening in the US and Italy this weekend

Avatar for 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). 

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Apple Store app updated for iPhone 6/6 Plus

Avatar for 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.

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

Avatar for 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]

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

Avatar for 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)

Avatar for 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

Avatar for Zac Hall Sep 19 2014 - 8:06 am PT
6 Comments
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<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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Want to queue-jump to grab your iPhone 6? Homeless charity auctions off its spot

Avatar for 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

Avatar for Sep 16 2014 - 8:44 am PT
109 Comments
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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

Avatar for 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

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Sep 15 2014 - 5:43 am PT
5 Comments
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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

Avatar for 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

Avatar for Sep 10 2014 - 2:20 pm PT
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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

Avatar for 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.

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

Avatar for 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

Avatar for Mark Gurman Sep 7 2014 - 9:00 am PT
42 Comments
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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

Avatar for 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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