For undisclosed reasons, the Apple Experience Center in Seoul (S. Korea) has closed suddenly, announced only by a sign on the window offering up to 50% off on display model computers, iPods and other gear. Thanks to Gabe for confirming the authorized reseller is not moving to another location, but closing up shop. Read his [...]

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You may recall that Dell Computer is opening up a limited number of retail stores, including one at the NorthPark Center (Dallas, Tex.) mall. Well, the barricade came down in front of the store on Monday, and who was pressing their faces against the glass to see what the Dell store looked like? Yes, it was [...]

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Apple´s third-quarter Retail segment performance was led by an impressive increase in CPU sales, while revenues were up only slightly and profit remained flat. Financial analysts saw the Retail computer sales jump as part of the company´s overall move to depend less on the iPod for its revenue, and more on its core computer products. Retail [...]

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Is it possible that Apple would install two stores within the same mall? Thanks to Lance for finding twin, black-painted construction barricades erected at the MacArthur Center (Norfolk, Virg.) mall that sport Apple´s white logo, giving the impression that two stores are better than one. The spaces are located on the second levels, each in a [...]

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Thanks to Bill for a report and photos of the unusually-timed, 6 p.m. Friday grand opening of the Lincoln Road (Miami Beach) store. Rain didn´t dampen the spirits of the waiting line!
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You’ll recall that Apple adjusted its retail store metrics in April, the measurement by which employees’ performance is measured. Now the company has adjusted the metrics again, lowering the attach rate for ProCare accounts from 30% to 25%. The other attach rates remain the same: AppleCare at 60% and .Mac at 30%. The change is [...]

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Apple officially announced the grand opening of its Lincoln Road (Miami Beach, Fla.) store this Saturday, with the usual T-shirt giveaway and sweepstakes.
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The folks at Rainy Day Magazine visited the Fifth Avenue (NYC) store, took some photos, went back home, sat down at Photoshop and created a rendering of what the proposed Boylston Street (Boston) store might look like. Interestingly, it resembles the actual design that Apple has formally proposed to the city.
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Apparently there are people with lots of spare time on their hands, unlike the staff at Apple’s Genius Bars, who are working hard to solve America’s computer problems. This explains why someone pranked an unidentified Genius Bar and videotaped the result. In true juvenile fashion, someone made a Genius Bar reservation for “Ghata P.,” and [...]

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Apple has posted photos of its Nike + iPod Sport Kit publicity run by employees at the SoHo, Fifth Avenue and North Michigan Avenue stores, and has noted future events to spotlight the new sensor/iPod nano product at the San Francisco (July 19) and Third Street Promenade (July 26) stores.
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Apple will kick off its cross-promotion with Nike shoes on Thursday by handing out a pair of Nike+ shoes to each Fifth Avenue and SoHo store employee, and holding a cross-Manhattan run from Nike Town, to Fifth Ave to SoHo (~3.5 miles). Apple sells the shoe sensor and iPod receiver in their retail stores for [...]

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Apple has refreshed their retail store Web page, with larger photos that create a slide show at the top, and with emphasis on the Genius and Studio Bars, ProCare and workshops. The previous list of stores is now gone, replaced with a drop-down menu of U.S. states and flags for Canada, UK and Japan stores. [...]

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You make the call: Is the architectural design that Apple proposed for N.W. 23rd Street in Portland (Ore.) an improvement or not? Cabel’s Web site has now posted Apple’s architectural rendering, along with an identical view of the current building, offering an almost-instant answer. You’ll no doubt notice the store is a clone of the [...]

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While cities like Portland, Boston, New York City and San Luis Obispo (Calif.) debate proposed architectural storefront designs for street-level Apple stores, the company has pulled down the curtains in front of its future Lincoln Road (Miami Beach, Fla.) store to reveal the most unique and unusual storefront in the chain (photo by Jorge). The [...]

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You’ll recall Apple’s ongoing project to remove presentation theaters at existing stores, and then upgrade the existing Genius Bar and install a Creative Bar. Now the Tice’s Corner (NJ) store has been scheduled for the swap later this year. The store opened in Nov. 2001, about 25 miles northwest of New York City.
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