Skip to main content

Apple Retail

1,477 'Apple Retail' stories September 2010 - September 2013
See All Stories

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.

Site default logo image

Apple says demand for new iPhones is “incredible,” iPhone 5s in limited supply

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Sep 20 2013 - 8:13 am PT
16 Comments

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
13 Comments
Site default logo image

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 … 
Expand
Expanding
Close

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
29 Comments
Site default logo image

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:
Expand
Expanding
Close

Site default logo image

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
0 Comments

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.

Site default logo image

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
0 Comments

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 …  
Expand
Expanding
Close

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
19 Comments

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…
Expand
Expanding
Close

Apple Store in Tokyo saves queuing iPhone buyers from approaching typhoon

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Sep 16 2013 - 3:48 am PT
9 Comments
Site default logo image

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 … 
Expand
Expanding
Close

Walmart iPhone pre-orders start tomorrow, 5c at $79, 5s at $189

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Sep 12 2013 - 5:58 am PT
17 Comments
Site default logo image

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 … 
Expand
Expanding
Close

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
7 Comments
Site default logo image

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 … 
Expand
Expanding
Close

Ahead of iPhone event, the Apple Store goes down

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Sep 10 2013 - 6:01 am PT
5 Comments

Ahead of the iPhone media event taking place at 10AM PST, the Apple Store is down for updates. The expectation is that Apple will announce two new phones at the event, a first for the company, dubbed the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C, with both models being available in new colour variations. As always, the Store will return after the event is over, with new pages featuring the newly announced hardware.

In preparation for the event, you can read our roundup of what we expect to be announced from yesterday, as well as a roundtable of our staff’s opinions — on a much more speculative basis — from August.

Naturally, 9to5Mac will have full coverage of all the announcements from the event.

Site default logo image

Campers already lining up at Fifth Avenue Apple Store two weeks before rumored iPhone launch

Avatar for Scott Buscemi Sep 6 2013 - 9:12 am PT
13 Comments

Two weeks before the rumored September 20 launch of the next generation iPhone(s) and four days before the media event, eager fanboys/publicity-seekers have begun camping out in front of the Fifth Avenue Apple Store in New York.

The tag team from SellYourMac arrived this morning, but as seen in the picture above, they were actually beat by two others who arrived yesterday. The camp-out times are getting longer and longer for some of the more prominent stores, but as an Arizonan myself – it’s going to be 104° F here today – I don’t think I’ll be following suit at my local store…

People are saying the iPod classic dies this year…again

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Sep 6 2013 - 7:44 am PT
14 Comments
Site default logo image

The iPod Classic is the gadget that refuses to die. Despite containing a hard drive when everything else is flash memory and physical controls when everything else is touchscreen, this 2009 device which isn’t a trillion miles removed from the original iPod design of 2001 remains on sale on the Apple Store to this day.

But not for long, according to Wired. The piece pulls together a whole bunch of commentators who all agree that this will be the year that Apple retires the elderly design. Perhaps they are right, but we can recall a certain rumor-phobe website called for the death of the iPod Classic as far back as 2011:

Specifically, if you want to buy an iPod shuffle or iPod classic from Apple, you should do it sooner rather than later. We’ve heard those two iPods are getting the axe this year [2011].

Ars Technica is also feeling an end to the iPod touch this time.


Expand
Expanding
Close

Apple confirms Apple Store iPhone trade-in program has launched today

Avatar for Mark Gurman Aug 30 2013 - 7:22 am PT
17 Comments
Site default logo image

Photo from trade-in program training

In line with our reports from earlier this week, Apple has announced that its Apple Store iPhone trade-in-program has launched today. The confirmation comes by way of comment to CNBC.

The trade-in-program is officially called the “iPhone Reuse and Recycling Program” and it is available in Apple Stores across the United States. It is powered in-part by BrightStar…


Expand
Expanding
Close

Site default logo image

Apple offering free iTunes Festival songs in Apple Store app as part of sales push

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Aug 29 2013 - 8:21 am PT
1 Comment

Continuing with its new push to offer free content to users through its Apple Store app, Apple today started offering users a selection of free songs under a new banner promoting the upcoming iTunes Festival. The new section promoting the iTunes Festival is currently offering six free songs with the offer set to expire on October 31. You can access the free content by navigating to a specific store location within the app, but the free content is currently only available to those in the US.

The song downloads follow Apple offering free apps such as Color Zen and free iBook titles through the Apple Store iOS app as part of a new sales push that we reported first back in July. The new initiative offers free content downloads through the Apple Store app as a way to boost content sales and awareness about the company’s App Stores, iTunes content, and iBooks. Apple Store employees are also being encouraged to install the Apple Store app on iOS devices sold in the store.

Apple iTunes Festival is scheduled to take place during the month of September in London, and the events will be streamed to iOS devices, iTunes, and even an app on the Apple TV.

Flurry of new Apple Stores on the way in Japan, France, China, Brazil & Italy

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Aug 28 2013 - 7:14 am PT
6 Comments
Site default logo image

Tokyo skyline: vacationadvice101.com

Bloomberg is reporting that Apple is planning its first new store in Tokyo since 2005.

Apple plans to open a store in Tokyo’s upscale Omotesando shopping district as early as March, according to a person familiar with the plans.

Construction is scheduled to be completed by February, the person said, asking not to be identified because they aren’t authorized to speak for Apple.

Tokyo is noted for its high land values. Bloomberg estimating the cost of the land at around $164M with the finished store expected to be worth a staggering $256M … 
Expand
Expanding
Close

Site default logo image

Apple revamps flagship SF store designs to address city concerns

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Aug 27 2013 - 5:27 am PT
2 Comments

Apple has revamped its plans for a new flagship San Francisco store in Union Square after concerns that a popular bronze fountain and sculpture would be removed, and that the building design wouldn’t offer sufficient visual interest from the exterior, reports SFGate.

Apple has presented city officials with a revised design for the flagship store it wants to build across from Union Square at Post and Stockton streets. And where the initial proposal in May consigned the fountain to an unknown fate, it now will stand amid steps leading up to a plaza between the back of the Apple Store and the side of the Grand Hyatt San Francisco.

The building design, designed to provide 45 percent more space than its existing Stockton store, also faced accusations that the steel and glass cube would be too boring for passers-by. Apple now plans a full-height window and skylight in what was to have been a featureless wall, and to set the glass frontage back to create a more interesting shape.

Apple’s US stores are the most profitable retail spaces in the country, beating even Tiffany and Harrods in earnings per square foot.

Via MacRumors

Apple planning to launch iPhone trade-in program by September

Avatar for Mark Gurman Aug 26 2013 - 8:55 am PT
16 Comments
Site default logo image

Apple is beginning final preparations to launch an iPhone trade-in program in its retail stores by next month, according to sources with knowledge of the initiative. This trade-in program will allow customers that own earlier versions of the iPhone, such as the iPhone 4S, to bring the phone into an Apple Store and exchange it for a new iPhone model, like the iPhone 5, at a discounted price…


Expand
Expanding
Close

Apple Stores to push Macs to businesses with new Parallels/Windows 8 demos

Avatar for Mark Gurman Aug 17 2013 - 6:06 pm PT
18 Comments
Site default logo image

Apple is pushing its business-focused Apple Retail salespeople to sell Macs to businesses currently running in Windows environments, according to Apple retail employees briefed on the new initiative. Apple Retail Stores, in their business/professional sections, will now have a 27-inch iMac prepared with the Parallels Virtualization Software and Microsoft’s Windows 8 operating system.

Select Apple Retail employees will also be trained on the Parallels and Windows software, and special Parallels demos have been created for Apple Stores. The goal of this new initiative is to push employees to be able to show businesses that currently work on Windows that all purposes of Windows could either be replaced or used (with Parallels) on a Mac computer.

For a number of years, Apple has pushed reasons how a Mac could replace a PC. This was heralded mainly via Apple’s Mac vs. PC ads. This new retail campaign, instead, focuses on the Mac operating system and Windows working together. Apple wants to leave no room for business customers to not know that they could switch to a Mac computer…


Expand
Expanding
Close

Site default logo image

Apple Store app now offering free book amid iBooks retail push

Avatar for Mark Gurman Aug 12 2013 - 9:05 am PT
0 Comments

The iPhone Apple Store app has been updated over-the-air today to offer a free iBook download to customers. The book is Away in My Airplane by Margaret Wise Brown. According to a note sent to Apple retail employees today, the free book download is meant for employees to have context when discussing and pushing the iBooks app and iBookstore to customers.

As we reported last month, Apple will be pushing free content to the Apple Store app in order to entice customers to download the app. Apple Store employees are also instructed to ask new iOS Device customers to install the app. In turn, if more people have the Apple Store app on their devices, Apple could sell them more products.

The new book offer expires on August 28th, and it is exclusive to the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, France, and Sweden, according to an Apple employee.

As part of a general iBooks push, Apple started providing its retail employees with free book titles in order to boost familiarity of the service.

The Apple Store app received its first free piece of content in the form of the Color Zen iPhone app earlier this month.


Expand
Expanding
Close

Site default logo image

Apple offering discounts on some accessories in store this month

Avatar for Sarah Guarino Aug 6 2013 - 8:26 pm PT
0 Comments

Apple Stores are offering some notable discounts on certain accessories this month, according to promotional material sent to us in a tip. Two of the deals started this week and a third starts on August 11th.

The first deal is 10% off of select Beats by Dre headphones and speakers. This deal ends on August 10th. The second deal ends on August 31st, and it is for $50 off of the Jawbone Big JamBox.


Expand
Expanding
Close

Site default logo image

‘FRS Excuses’ website showcases some possibly familiar statements from Apple Stores

Avatar for Mark Gurman Aug 2 2013 - 6:48 am PT
4 Comments

 

If you have ever gone to an Apple Store, some of the statements on the new FRSExcuses.com website might sound familiar. “FRS” is short for “Family Room Specialist,” and this is the title of Apple’s retail workers on the Apple Store showroom floor. To move through “excuses,” just click the excuse.


Expand
Expanding
Close

What Chromecast? Apple drops refurb Apple TV $10 to $75

Avatar for Jul 31 2013 - 5:41 am PT
5 Comments
Site default logo image

From 9to5Toys.com:

One of the most highly touted features of the new Google Chromecast is its price tag, coming in at just $35. The Apple TV retails for $99 (Amazon sells it for $96) but includes a more expansive feature set including full mirroring capabilities, a beautiful user interface, physical remote and an abundance of compatible streaming services. In a possible reaction to the low Chromecast price, Apple has dropped a refurbished Apple TV 12% down to just $75 with free shipping. Although, this could be a planned price drop as Apple typically re-evaluates their refurb prices as products go through their life cycle. No matter the reason for the drop, at $75 with a 1-year Apple warranty this is our pick for the best current Apple TV deal.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Site default logo image

Chinese scalpers booking up all Genius Bar appointments & selling online

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Jul 29 2013 - 5:21 am PT
11 Comments

Apple Store, Shanghai

Beijing Morning News reports that local ticket scalpers have found a new way to make money on Apple: booking up all available Genius Bar appointments and then offering them for sale online.

Ticket scalpers usually make their money by buying large quantities of event tickets as soon as they go on sale then illegally selling them for more than face value once the event is sold out. With Genius Bar appointments, they don’t even need to fork out cash in the first place: they just use a bunch of email addresses to make the appointments then advertise them online.

Appointments sell for 10- yuan ($1.60-6.40) in a country where the average monthly salary is equivalent to $580. A Beijing Morning News reporter found there were no appointments available on the Apple site for iPhone, iPad or iPod. They contacted one of the advertisers asking for an appointment the next day and were offered a choice of two local stores and two time slots. The reporter was sent login details for the booking by instant messenger, and was then able to access the booking on the Apple site to change the details to their own.

The reporter contacted Apple for comment, but had not received a reply at the time of writing.

Thanks, Numble.
Expand
Expanding
Close