Apple preparing Waikiki retail store
Last February, Apple opened Hawaii's 2nd retail store when Apple Store Kahala opened its doors in Honolulu. Today, The Honolulu Advertiser is reporting that a third store will open in Waikiki, as part of the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center's $84 million makeover. According to the Advisor, Apple has applied for a permit to erect a store in the shopping center. And with that, paradise gets just a little better, right Hawaiians? If you spy any tell-tale activity down there, please let us know!
Thanks, Yak!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dan A said 11:20AM on 7-03-2007
They already have one in Ala Moana... Build another one somewhere useful, like VANCOUVER BC! Probably one of the largest markets in the world. BC has a HUGE film industry and Apple is completely ignoring it!
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Joe Philipson said 11:44AM on 7-03-2007
YES!!! Interesting though. There is an Apple store in Ala Moana which is a mall literally 1 or 2 miles from that location. It's probably the smallest Apple Store I've ever been in. Are they moving or just making a new one all together?
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Tony B said 11:50AM on 7-03-2007
This is crazy. That means 3 apple stores within 3 miles of each other.
Kahala Mall
Ala Moana
Waikiki
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Tony said 11:56AM on 7-03-2007
Here's a map of that area
A - Ala Moana
D - Waikiki Shopping Center
G - Kahala Mall
http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=gap+honolulu&ie=UTF8&ll=21.276578,-157.814741&spn=0.042949,0.067635&z=14&om=1
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blatz said 12:30PM on 7-03-2007
The Honolulu Apple Stores are consistently among the highest performing retail stores in Apple's lineup, so it would make sense for them to want to expand in that market.
A Waikiki Apple Store is a complete no-brainer, because its saturated with hundreds of thousands of Japanese tourists who are willing to buy anything and everything at the drop of a hat.
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itsme said 1:10PM on 7-03-2007
They open multiple stores because there's tons of disposable income in this part of Honolulu. Coach, Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Salvatore Ferragamo, Burberry, etc. all have two-three stores within a mile of each other and, apparently, they all perform quite well. This is not crazy. EVERY retailer that claims to make truly desirable products has a store in Waikiki AND Ala Moana, or at least they'd be smart to.
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sandrift said 2:13PM on 7-03-2007
I live in Honolulu - most of the tourists don't leave Waikiki, so they'll really only see the Waikiki and Ala Moana stores - the Kahala store is frequented largely by kama'aina (locals).
There are ABC Stores (a convenience store) literally every third or fourth storefront (on both sides of the street!) for the entire length of Waikiki - I bet you could put an Apple store at either end of Waikiki and they'd both make money.
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Kyle said 4:57PM on 7-03-2007
Like everyone above me, an Apple store in Waikiki would be very profitable. The place is a tourist trap and everyone there is looking to purchase high-end materials.
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Josh said 5:24PM on 7-03-2007
GRRRR. What about ALL the other islands? Why a third there?! People live on Maui too! We have one certified Apple retailer and two AT&T stores. That's it. How about the Shops at Wailea (4 seasons next door) or, even Ka'ahumanu Center? I know its kinda not the nicest but I swear it would do well if even I was the only customer. The MAUS (Maui Apple Users Society) is one of the best in the United States and our president has even been recognized by Apple as an expert. PLEASE put on one on Maui.
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David said 7:32PM on 7-03-2007
The Honolulu Star Bulletin is carrying the story now too:
http://starbulletin.com/breaking/breaking.php?id=5979
(and it's Honolulu Advertiser, not Advisor, by the way)
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Xapa said 8:27PM on 7-03-2007
All the trendy, classy, and profitable companies in Honolulu have a store in Ala Moana and Waikiki. It only makes sense to siphon money from the tourists at as many locations as possible. Guaranteed, it will do well.
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Zenn said 1:31AM on 7-04-2007
hmm oahu has four major malls. hmm if they were smart. they should build one apple store in each mall. . lol
i mean yeah, ala moana and kahala already have its own apple store. why not pearlridge and windward. lol
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Angelo said 7:49AM on 7-04-2007
Well, the culture is a lot different for one.
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