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Apple Retail

1,476 'Apple Retail' stories September 2010 - October 2013
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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.

Apple to start offering Personal Pickup for iPad Air on Nov. 1 launch date

Avatar for Mark Gurman Oct 28 2013 - 11:51 am PT
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In contrast to the supply constrained launch of the iPhone 5s, Apple will offer Personal Pickup for the iPad Air beginning on the November 1st launch date, we’re hearing from sources. MacRumors is reporting the same. When the Apple Online Store goes live on November 1st at midnight Pacific Time (3 AM EST), customers will be able to order iPad Airs to be shipped to their addresses…


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Apple plans to open first store in Brazil by March 2014

Avatar for Mark Gurman Oct 28 2013 - 3:39 am PT
18 Comments
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<a href="http://www.skyscraperlife.com/ciudades-y-arquitectura-la/80727-andares-guadalajara-vs-village-mall-rio-de-janeiro.html">Image of the mall</a> where the Apple Store will be located

Apple currently plans to expand its retail store presence to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil early next year, according to information provided by a source. This person says that Apple is targeting a store opening between February and March 2014, but delays due to construction and staffing are always possible.

Approximately one year ago, Apple confirmed to various media outlets in Brazil that it is planning to open a store in the country. However, Apple has remained mum on when this store would open. “We look forward to the opening of the first Apple Store in Brazil, where we have long standing customers and hope to win many more each day,” the company said last year…


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Why Tim Cook appointed Angela Ahrendts head of retail – in one 4-minute video

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Oct 22 2013 - 7:07 am PT
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Watch this four-minute video, and you’ll understand exactly why Tim Cook hired former Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts to head up Apple’s retail operations – and it’s not because of all the iDevices that appear in it (though the love-clutching of her iPhone doesn’t hurt).

In the video, a promo for Burberry’s partnership with Salesforce, she maps out her vision of the stores of the future, “blurring the lines between physical and digital.”

Ahrendts talks of the store of the future making you “feel like you’re walking into the website,” of mobile-first and using innovations like chip-enabled products and “magical trays” to play video content as you pick up a product. Today’s customers, she says, “speak social” and the onus is on retailers to “change everything” to deliver “the ultimate in customer service.”

Swap the clothing and accessories for technology, and it’s a video that could have been made for Apple. Apple may have gotten it horribly wrong with her predecessor, but this time it’s not hard to see why Cook described Ahrendts as “the best person in the world for this role.”

Via Fortune

Apple Store goes down for updates in run-up to launch event (Update: iWork on iCloud goes down as well)

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Oct 22 2013 - 6:05 am PT
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As always in the run up to a launch event, the Apple Store has been taken offline for updates ahead of today’s iPad-focused event. Apple has also taken down iWork for iCloud, promising that it will be back in a few hours with “great new features.”

Additionally, Apple has updated its homepage with a promo for the event … 
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Unveiled at WWDC, Anki Drive goes on sale Oct. 23 for $200 (Update: It’s live)

Avatar for Mike Beasley Oct 16 2013 - 6:20 pm PT
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Update: Anki Drive is now available on the Apple Online Store for $199  annnnnd iFixit is tearing it down.

As we noted earlier this month, the Anki Drive iPhone-controlled cars demoed at WWDC this year will hit store shelves next week. The cars use a set of onboard sensors and AI software to steer themselves around the track and interact with one another while following behavioral paramaters set in the iOS app. The app also allows you to add upgrades to your car to change how it behaves and how other cars react to it.

The starter set will come with two cars and a track to race them on, and will cost $199. Additional cars will be available for $69 each. The app used to control the cars has been available in the iTunes Store for some time now, but has yet to be updated with the ability to actually use it with the cars. The whole lineup will be available in Apple Stores nationwide on October 23rd.

Apple finally finds new Head of Retail: Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts. Will begin in Spring 2014, run Online Stores too

Avatar for Mark Gurman Oct 14 2013 - 11:14 pm PT
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Apple today announced that it has finally filled the role of Senior Vice President of Retail: the Cupertino tech giant has hired Angela Ahrendts. Ahrendts is leaving her role as CEO of fashion retailer Burberry to take the top Apple retail job. Ahrendts will also lead Apple’s online stores. She will officially begin her role in Spring 2014.

You may recall Apple replaced its original Head of Retail Ron Johnson, who left for JCPenney but has since been removed from that role, with John Browett, but Browett proved not to be a good fit and was removed almost a year ago to date.


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Apple faces new class action lawsuit from store employees over unpaid time waiting in line

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Oct 14 2013 - 5:39 am PT
10 Comments

Photo: hindustantimes.com

Law360 (via BI)  reports that Apple is facing a second class action lawsuit filed on behalf of hourly-paid Apple Store employees who have to spend 10-15 minutes daily in unpaid time waiting in line to clock-in and for security checks when leaving the store.

Plaintiff and other Hourly Employees were and are required to wait in line for security checks for at least 10-15 minutes each day before leaving for their meal breaks and at the end of their shift after they had already clocked out. This daily 10-15 minute uncompensated waiting time during security checks was done in order to undergo searches for possible contraband and/or pilferage of inventory.

The claim argues that the time should be on the clock. Amazon is facing similar claims.

Two other Apple Store employees had previously filed a similar action, later expanded to a class action, though it doesn’t appear to have gathered much support. A class action is a lawsuit which anyone in the same position can join, and which could potentially leave Apple with a compensation bill for all hourly-paid store employees. Apple employs more than 40,000 staff worldwide in its retail stores, though it’s not known how many of them would qualify to join the claim.

Apple Stores are the most profitable retail spaces in the U.S., earning over $6,000 per square foot each year and beating even Tiffany and Harrods. We ran an insiders’ view of life as Apple Store staff back in March.

As expected, Apple Store iPhone trade-in program reaches the UK

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Oct 14 2013 - 5:38 am PT
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You may recall we broke the story that Apple’s iPhone trade program, launched in the U.S. in August, was coming to the UK. It’s now launched – but you may not want to use it.

Apple says it will offer up to £175 for iPhone models in its UK stores. Apple offers up to $250 in its U.S.-based locations. The program allows a customer with an iPhone 3G or newer to receive a gift card with the trade-in-value for use towards a new iPhone. The new device must be activated in-store.

An online version, based on a different recycling firm, launched in the UK last year.

But for those who really don’t want the hassle of dealing with private sales, it’s at least an option to make that shiny new iPhone 5s a little cheaper …


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New iPhone 5s stock-tracking site offers insights into which models are in demand

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Oct 14 2013 - 4:19 am PT
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A second iPhone 5S stock-tracking web app, this one available in all countries where the new handset is sold, has provided a few stats showing what people are searching for.

60 percent of people searching www.stock5S.com are looking for the gold model, with silver and space gray coming in at 20 percent each. The most highly-sought model is the 16GB gold model at 30 percent, followed by 32GB gold at 17 percent.

More than half are searching for 16GB models, almost a third looking for 32GB and just 14 percent wanting 64GB.

Note that these numbers don’t necessarily reflect actual demand: they are the models being sought for in-store pickup by those who have so far been unable to find them in-store. If 32GB Space Gray handsets are widely available, for example, fewer searches would be made online for those.

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New renders tease iPad 5 in Apple Store setting ahead of Oct. 22 unveiling

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Oct 14 2013 - 3:57 am PT
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If you’re impatiently waiting to see the new iPad 5 in the Apple Store, your wait is over – virtually, anyway. Martin Hajek has created some new renders that show the new slimmer-bezel iPad 5 in an Apple Store setting.

The iPad 5 is expected to have the same slim bezel design as the current iPad Mini, to be thinner and lighter than the current model, available in the same colors as the iPhone 5s, be powered by the same A7 chip and to have a larger-aperture 8MP rear camera. It’s not yet clear whether or not it will have a Touch ID fingerprint sensor. It is due to be announced on 22nd October.

Rest of the renders below: 
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Apple’s first retail store in Turkey set to open in Istanbul in January

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Oct 10 2013 - 8:16 am PT
7 Comments

As previously announced by Tim Cook earlier this year, Apple is preparing to open its first retail store in Turkey with a new store currently under construction in Istanbul. The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple has picked up around 21,000 square feet of space inside the Zorlu shopping center between Burberry and Louis Vuitton stores.

The store is expected to open in early 2014 and would make for the 13th country that Apple currently operates at least one retail store in. Apple now has over 400 retails stores worldwide and previously announced plans to open 30 new stores this year along with relocating 20 stores to bigger properties to accommodate customers.

(via donanimhaber)

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Still looking for that elusive in-store iPhone 5s? Screen-scraper web app is here to help

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Oct 2 2013 - 5:11 am PT
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If you’re still hoping to pick up an iPhone 5s from your local Apple retail store, developer Mordy Tikotzky has put together a web app to help.

Just go to the iPhone Check website, put in your ZIP code (it’s US-only at present), select your desired color and carrier and hit the Submit button. The web app carries out the search for you, screen-scrapes the results from apple.com and then presents a neat, color-coded table of results.

Apple briefly introduced an in-store pickup option, pulled it after one day and restored it a few days ago. The tool is a very handy way to check availability, but if my quick tests are anything to go by, you’re still not going to have much luck finding a gold one (other solutions are available …).

In-store pickup for iPhone 5s returns to Apple’s online store, availability limited

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Sep 30 2013 - 12:45 am PT
1 Comment

As we reported on Friday, the in-store pickup which appeared briefly on Wednesday last week has returned to Apple’s online store. The option allows customers to purchase a phone online and collect in a store. However, supplies remain extremely constrained with many stores already reporting that devices are “unavailable for pickup”, including Fifth Avenue.

With online orders reporting dispatch estimates of October, the in-store pickup option may prove lucrative for people still looking to get their hands on Apple’s flagship phone. It is currently unknown how often in-store pickup stock will be replenished.

AAPL stock skyrockets toward 500 in pre-market trading following 9M iPhone sales and high-end guidance

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Sep 23 2013 - 6:20 am PT
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AAPL quickly climbed 6 percent in pre-market trading following Apple’s announcement that it had sold a record 9M iphones in the first weekend, beating most analyst expectations. The last time it hit $500 was six weeks ago, when Carl Icahn announced his increased stake in the company, believed to be in excess of $1.5B.

Analyst forecasts for sales of the new iPhones had ranged wildly from 5M to 10M, but 9M was at the high end of what most were expecting and substantially above the more pessimistic forecasts. Four major financial firms had seemed unimpressed by the announcement on 10th September, downgrading the stock.

Apple’s SEC filing advised investors that it expects to hit the high-end of its earlier Q4 guidance … 
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Apple says demand for new iPhones is “incredible,” iPhone 5s in limited supply

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Sep 20 2013 - 8:13 am PT
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Following the retail launch of the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c in Apple Stores and retail partners around the world today, Apple has provided a statement to AllThingsD calling demand for the new iPhones “incredible”. Apple also noted that the iPhone 5s is only available in limited supplies and sold out in many stores, lining up with what we first reported yesterday:

“Demand for the new iPhones has been incredible and we are currently sold out or have limited supply of certain iPhone 5s models in some stores,”

Yesterday we reported that many stores were getting little to no gold and or silver/white units of the new iPhone 5s, and that most retail outlets would only have the Space Grey model available for sale. We’ve heard that is indeed the case today even at Apple’s own retail stores as most locations have an extremely limited number of gold iPhone 5s units.

This morning the Wall Street Journal reported that Apple has instructed suppliers to increase production of the gold iPhone 5s by one-third, as shipping times for the device online have now been pushed back to October in most countries. That’s compared to the 7-10 days quoted for other colors of the iPhone 5s in most of Apple’s initial launch countries.

Apple boosts production of gold iPhone 5s by a third after availability went straight to October

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Sep 20 2013 - 1:52 am PT
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The WSJ reports that Apple has instructed suppliers to increase production of the gold model of the iPhone 5s by one-third after seeing high demand for the color. Availability for the gold model was into October within 30 minutes of orders opening on Apple Store sites around the world, with retail stores also reportedly selling out quickly and carriers getting few in the first place … 
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Long lines forming at Apple Stores around the globe for iPhone 5s/5c retail launch

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Sep 19 2013 - 4:53 pm PT
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As online sales for the iPhone 5s begin to go live in Australia, Asia, and now the UK, lines outside of Apple stores around the world are starting to grow in anticipation the September 20th, 8AM retail launch of the iPhone 5s and 5c. Shipping times for the 5c have been slipping since preorders went live last week, but Apple seems to be in even shorter supply of the iPhone 5s as shipping times are starting at 7-10 days in most countries where online orders have already kicked off.

If you’re expecting to queue up to get your hands on an iPhone 5s like the many customers pictured below, you might want to get in line soon. We learned earlier today that retailers, including Apple stores, are getting little to no Gold and white iPhone 5s units, and will mainly have just the new Space Grey model available in store. However, as we’ve seen following launches in other countries today, the 5s in all colors seems to be in shorty supply even for online orders.

The September 20 iPhone 5s and 5c retail launch will take place in the US, Australia, China, Canada, Germany, France, Singapore, UK, and Japan.

Head below for a look at the long lines starting to form outside Apple Stores around the globe:
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Apple Stores in Asia/Oceania go down ahead of iPhone 5s launch, 5c shipping times slip again

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Sep 19 2013 - 7:20 am PT
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Ahead of the iPhone 5s launch tomorrow morning in Apple Stores around the world at 8AM local time, Apple appears to be preparing for online orders with its websites for China, Hong Kong, Australia, and Singapore currently experiencing downtime. Orders from Apple’s online store are about to kick off in the coming hours in Australia, while China and Hong Kong opened up reservations for the device earlier this week and also plan 8am retail launches. In the U.S. and most other countries online orders will start at 12am (PST in the US) and local time in other locations. Word has it the iPhone 5s will be in short supply at launch, but it’s taken Apple’s iPhone 5c over a week before experiencing any significant shipping delays.

Shipping times for certain models of the iPhone 5c began slipping over the last week, but most models in the initial launch countries remained available for delivery by the expected September 20 launch date. Today that has started to change with many more models of the iPhone 5c experiencing delays in several countries.

In the U.S. and Canada, all models of the device are currently listed as shipping in 1-3 business days, while France and Germany are now listing “5 working days” for most models and “7-10 working days” for others. Of course, shipping times could easily change again tomorrow when the iPhone 5c officially hits Apple retail stores alongside the 5s. We’ll keep you updated if they do.

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In case we’d forgotten, Apple reminds us the 5s and 5c arrive on Friday …

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Sep 17 2013 - 5:56 am PT
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Apple has issued a press release ‘announcing’ that the iPhone 5s and 5c go on sale on Friday. Phew.

Apple® today announced that iPhone® 5s, the most forward-thinking smartphone in the world and iPhone 5c, the most colorful iPhone yet, will be available to customers on Friday, September 20 at 8:00 a.m. local time at Apple retail stores and at 12:01 a.m. PDT at the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com). iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c will be available in the US, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico, Singapore and the UK.

For the 5s, Apple highlights the A7 processor, iSight camera with True Tone flash, and Touch ID. For the 5c, which appears in a new ad, the focus is unsurprisingly on the new design ‘packed with features we all know and love.’ Both handsets, says Apple, “offer more LTE bands than any other smartphone in the world.”

In the US, the new iPhones will be available through AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, select Best Buy, RadioShack, Target and Walmart stores and Apple Authorized Resellers – though you may have to be quick if you hope to grab a 5s on launch day.

Despite encouraging signs on pre-orders for both 5s and 5c, the lack of any hard numbers, coupled with no official word still on a China Mobile deal, is causing a certain degree of nervousness on Wall Street, and it’s notable that the PR provides neither.

Full press release below the fold …  
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iPhone 5s stock in China sells out almost instantly, suggesting supply is low for rest of world

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Sep 17 2013 - 5:35 am PT
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Unlike the rest of the world, China and Hong Kong can reserve the iPhone 5s starting today. However, just minutes after the phone became available, most models and colors sold out across the country.

At the time of writing, only the 16 GB ‘space grey’ SKU’s remain available for reservation. All other models have sold out and are “currently unavailable” according to the online store. Sina reported on the phenomenon, noting that the gold model, in particular, was in high demand…
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Apple Store in Tokyo saves queuing iPhone buyers from approaching typhoon

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Sep 16 2013 - 3:48 am PT
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Hardcore iPhone fans in Japan already queuing for the 5s and 5c going on sale on Friday weren’t going to be put off by a mere typhoon (hurricane) warning: they continued their vigil outside Tokyo’s Ginza store. Apple Store staff opened the doors at 7.30am, shortly before the typhoon hit, to bring customers inside, reports Kotaku.

They were allowed to bring in their wet possessions, rest in the Apple Store theater until 10am, and were even given bottled water. “I was so moved how Apple treats its customers,” said YouTube user AppTaylor

Video below the fold … 
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Walmart iPhone pre-orders start tomorrow, 5c at $79, 5s at $189

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Sep 12 2013 - 5:58 am PT
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Walmart has announced that it will be offering both of the new iPhone models in their 16Gb versions, the 5c at $79 (a $20 saving) and the 5s at $189 (a $10 savings). Walmart offers the phones on Verizon, AT&T and Sprint.

What’s interesting here is that Apple Stores usually do price matching so it might be worth a try after waiting on line on launch day. Best Buy will also price match often, so this could trigger markdowns all over … 
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iPhone 5s battery capacity 10 percent up on iPhone 5, 5c up 5 percent

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Sep 12 2013 - 4:06 am PT
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AnandTech dug into the FCC filings for the new iPhones to reveal that the iPhone 5s battery offers approximately 10 percent more capacity than its predecessor, while the 5c battery offers a more modest 5 percent gain. That’s a different size battery (5.96Wh vs 5.92Wh) than we’d seen in supposed 5s prototypes … 
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