Filed under: Apple Corporate, Retail, Rumors
Rumor: Major Apple Store makeover coming
ifoAppleStore is reporting today that Apple intends to re-design the layout of its many Apple Stores. If you'll remember way back to 2001 when the first Apple Store opened, they had wooden floors and closely resembled the interior of The Gap (minus the khakis and overwhelming sense of homogeneity).The new design will move the store's emphasis from hardware to marketing with a large educational section just beyond the entrance. This area, dubbed "Why You'll Love a Mac," will highlight the differences between a Mac and a Windows PC, as well as the benefits of software like the iLife and iWork suite.
There's no solid information on when the transformation will take place, but MacNN says it could start as early as next week (also unknown is whether the changes will be limited to the US). Keep your eyes peeled, shoppers. Your local Apple Store may close down for a short while.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Michael B. said 6:49PM on 2-12-2009
I think a good makeover is long overdue. Also, Apple Stores started opening back in 2001 (not 2006).
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KRAPPS said 6:42PM on 2-12-2009
Thanks for the update ... kind of laughing at this since what REALLY needs a makeover is the online App Store. With nearly 20,000 apps, it's becoming extremely difficult to navigate and locate "of interest" apps.
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d said 6:50PM on 2-12-2009
the first apple stores were opened long before 2006...
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Ryan said 9:04PM on 2-12-2009
I noticed things were moved around last Saturday, nothing new tho.
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Howie Isaacks said 7:15PM on 2-12-2009
I thought I would chime in too just to make you feel even dumber. The Apple stores began opening in 2001. I was standing in line at Willow Bend (the third store to open) on August 3rd, 2001. I bought a Canon scanner from a guy named Doug Parker. The scanner still works too!
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Ian said 7:20PM on 2-12-2009
Interesting, they just recently remodeled the main Seattle store, so I wonder if we'll be one of the last stores to get this new look.
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JustObserving said 3:24AM on 2-13-2009
The makeover you are taking about is mostly a reorganization of products. So don't expect a huge ground up makeover. Yes, the University Village store was recently remodeled. You can expect to see, in addition to the "Why You'll Love a Mac" section, a section on iWork '09, iMovie '09, and One-to-One. These are all of the things the store closes to me has.
Russ Renshaw said 8:10PM on 2-12-2009
Interesting, because this comes hot off the heels of information that Microsoft is one step closer to the start of opening MS Retail Stores. I wonder which brand will have the better looking store?
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Quine said 8:22PM on 2-12-2009
The same brand that has the better looking everything :P
Libb said 1:16AM on 2-13-2009
@Quine:
The Zune 3.0 desktop software looks amazing compared to iTunes 8.0, which continues to be a big old spreadsheet, only with a wretchedly implemented album art browsing mode that was obviously ripped off from the Zune/WiMP versions, but not taken as far as they did.
If MS was smart, they'd bump the UI designers in the Zune and Win Media Center team up and have them re-imagine the entire Windows UI. Until/unless that happens, the Zune team is an island of elegance and taste in a sea of "meh" at MS.
Tony C said 9:32AM on 2-13-2009
Apple's being helpful! Remodeling work done at all their stores means jobs, from design to implementation, blue and white collar alike.
Ivan said 8:11PM on 2-12-2009
In the middle of a recession?
This does not sound like a good idea. Shouldn't they be extra careful with their cash in this uncertain economic times? :)
Maybe they know something I don't (which is usually the case)
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oakie said 9:19PM on 2-12-2009
this is why you're not a business mogul ;)
this is the best time to aggressively pursue more market share as uncertain economic times results in customers that are more fervent about your brand/product when the economy recovers.
waiting only proves to be "too late" as people will already have aligned themselves to brands prior to capitalizing on wealth after an economic recovery. granted, everyone benefits more when economic times are good, but businesses who attempt to expand their market share with proper branding and aggressive expansion will benefit even more. why? because people/consumers will not put their faith behind a company that is shrinking as it only enforces an idea of uncertainty that said business may not be around when you want or need them the most.
in addition, if you can win a customer's mind now, you'll win their pocketbook later when they can afford to purchase your product.
Vince said 10:09PM on 2-12-2009
Apple has very healthy books, and the last thing you should do in a recession is slash your marketing budget when you don't have to.
Cory Schulz said 3:38AM on 2-13-2009
Also, Apple has like 28 Billion $ just sitting in the bank not doing too much. When the economy is bad, things get cheap, and they can get more for their money if they spend it now. They're not hurting for cash, that's for sure. This is a smart move. It's good to redesign stores every couple years. It keeps them looking fresh and interesting every time you return.
Ryan M said 8:40PM on 2-12-2009
They could just be restructuring the setup of the store, without necessarily going all out and replacing floors, etc.
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greg said 8:55PM on 2-12-2009
you can call this remodeling project Apple's STIMULUS Package :-)
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Vince said 2:44PM on 2-13-2009
Was that supposed to be an attempt at humor?
jim said 8:57PM on 2-12-2009
personally, i would rather take the tax cut.
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greg said 9:00PM on 2-12-2009
if that is their idea of a stimulus package, i'll take a new MacPro.