I’ve added lots of additional photo and story links to the Regent Street grand opening report. Check back to see if you’ve missed anything. One BBC story stated, "By 11 in the morning – one hour after opening – police were estimating 5,000 had turned up." That estimate seems way over the mark, since just 1,033 were in line at 9:25 a.m. (see next item).
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Apple has confirmed to Cnet.com that it will open a Toronto store, something reported by several rumor sites several months ago, and most recently spotlighted by Mac OSX Rumors.
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The MacBillBoard Web site has some clever desktops and "playgrounds" that include an Apple store grand opening and a mini-store–clever stuff!
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A San Jose Mercury-News story explains the quick jump in the price of Apple stock on Monday (up $6.18 to $61.35), based on a positive forecast by the Piper Jaffray financial analysis firm. The company also was positive on retail, the newspaper said, noting, "In subsequent conversations with 15 Apple resellers (by Piper Jaffray), 30 percent said sales were tracking above expectations while 70 percent say sales are in line with estimates. Nearly all reported strong demand for Apple’s iMac G5 desktop computer." As for Apple’s retail stores, the report said store traffic has been increasing 34% per quarter, and, "…this could quickly become a meaningful driver of Mac sales and market share gains."
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There are at least 10 Regent Street grand opening T-shirts listed on eBay, now priced between $1.82 and $66.
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A reminder that there could be special pricing on selected items at the retail stores this Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year.
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(UK) – Apple has posted both the Nagoya (Japan) and Kent (UK) stores on the job listings page. Interestingly, they have dipped down into the store numbering system for Nagoya, assigning it the mysterious "R005" position that has been attributed to a Birmingham (Ala.) store that never opened.
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(UK) – The grand opening of the Regent Street (London) retail store didn’t set any new waiting line records, but it did tie the record for enthusiasm and noise from the staff and eager Mac enthusiasts who burst through the entrance at precisely 10 a.m. Just 30 minutes before opening time, there were 1,033 people in line, and 90 minutes later there were still about 900 people waiting to get into the spectacular store, installed in a renovated 1898 building. Neither Steve Jobs nor any entertainment celebrity appeared at the grand opening event. In fact, the event also did not include the traditional shouted question, "Are you ready?" usually posed by the store manager to the waiting crowd. The sun did not make a second-day appearance, and after hitting a low of 36 F. overnight, warm clothing was still a necessity. Check my Regent Street grand opening diary for more details.
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(UK) – The rain has ended and the waiting line is up to 10 people in the morning sun. Foot and bus traffic has increased, and lots of people are stopping by to ask questions and take photos of the store and waiting line.
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I’ve posted my first video of the Regent Street store grand opening event, check for the links here.
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At yesterday’s press event, Sr. V-P Retail Ron Johnson confirmed plans for a store in Kent (UK), as well as other unnamed countries in Europe.
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Leander Kahney reports on his Wired.com blog that Apple’s Soho (NYC) store is the, “latest place to see and be seen, according to City magazine.” Apparently the stores are all about the people, not the hardware….but then we knew that all along.
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The Mac OSX Rumors Web site is reporting that Toronto (Ont.) will indeed be the location of an future Apple store, confirmed by official communications to it resellers.
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Apple’s retail Web has a promotion for Nov. 26th, the busiest shopping day of the year, with a hint of special pricing. Apple has offered selected 10% discounts on this day in previous years.
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(UK) – I arrived at Heathrow after 107 mph tailwinds shortened my United Airlines flight from San Francisco. To my surprise, it’s raining! But that didn’t dampen the spirit of Stormy, who arrived first in line this morning. Check my first full Regent Street store report.
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