Happy Birthday mini stores–it’s been one year since the first stores opened to great fanfare! But with no new stores since then, and a quickly changing retail landscape, I have to ask–how do you proceed with a slightly-failed concept, a long lease, a great location and Steve’s face to save? Thanks to Glenn for some musings on the future possibilities for the mini-stores:

Plan A - iPod store with just iPod’s and all the assorted kit and that is not all that bad a way to turn a problem into a solution. Plan B – mini store, for the Mac mini, well maybe, but there are only so many dollars in Mac Minis. Plan C - New Arrivals, simply whatever is hot and new at the moment, with staff and layout which can re-kit for new event … fast and be able to run 24/7 to meet demand. Plan D - Like A&B for the iPod sales and the transition event of Windows to Mac via the iPod … thence the Mac Mini. Plan E - “Close and plywood the front while Steve gets the marketing massagers on making a success.”

Glen figures that Plan A is possible and likely to work, but that Plan B is bit narrow in focus and the cost per square-foot may not go well…by Apple’s standards!. Plan C has too much “dead time” while nothing much happens, and therefore appears “improbable.” Plan E is desperate action when none is needed. That leaves Glenn’s pick… Plan D. “The new role for the mini store,” says Glenn, “is iPod sales supporting the transition to Mac via the iPod to the Mac mini.”