From the monthly archives:
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 further report on the shut-down.
{ Comments on this entry are closed }
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 the staff of the Apple retail store in the same mall. The Dell store opens for business on Tuesday on the second level, almost directly above the Apple store on the ground floor.
{ Comments on this entry are closed }
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 revenues for Q3 totaled $715 million, up 12% from the previous quarter, and up 29% compared to the same quarter of 2005. Sales of computers at the 150+ stores was even more substantial–up 40% to 216,000 units compared to the previous quarter, and up 50% compared to the same quarter of 2005. The stores continued to see more Windows users come into the stores, with “nearly 50 percent” of store buyers classified as new to Mac, a slight increase over the previous quarter. Prior to this quarter, analysts had believed that Apple had become dependent upon the iPod for new revenue, and that slowing iPod sales were dragging down the company´s financial results. The improved retail store figures helped renew investor´s faith in the stock, which zoomed up about 15% after the results were announced on Wednesday.
{ Comments on this entry are closed }
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 leg of the L-shaped mall, one near Nordstrom and the other near Dillard’s. Construction on each of the spaces–one larger than the other–is just now getting underway. Apple has opened new stores within a short distance of one another, but has never opened two in one mall. Is it possible that one of the stores will focus on iPods only? [photos]
{ Comments on this entry are closed }
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!
{ Comments on this entry are closed }
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 reportedly due to back-to-school sales, which typically generate fewer sales of the ProCare premium service. [see previous]
{ Comments on this entry are closed }
Apple officially announced the grand opening of its Lincoln Road (Miami Beach, Fla.) store this Saturday, with the usual T-shirt giveaway and sweepstakes.
{ Comments on this entry are closed }
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.
{ Comments on this entry are closed }
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 then waited until the harried Genius called out the name several times. There has to be something more valuable to do with one’s time. [Now, 24 hours later, the clip has disappeared from YouTube by the poster...a fellow store employee?]
{ Comments on this entry are closed }
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.
{ Comments on this entry are closed }
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 $29, while the Nike sells the shoes at its stores and on-line for $80-$100.
{ Comments on this entry are closed }
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. The design is much less cluttered and much more structured than the previous page. You’ll notice the page loads more slowly, since although the HTML code was reduced by 67%, the total size of the page went up by 57% to 111k, mostly due to the store photos and javascript. Take a look at former Apple retail Web pages on the WayBackMachine.
{ Comments on this entry are closed }
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 existing Burlingame (N. Calif.) store, with the addition of a glassed-in second floor. Cabel also has some interesting perspectives on the street’s personality, and suggestions for the involved parties. Also check the Chatterbox, which has updated details on the debate over the store.
{ Comments on this entry are closed }
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 façade consists of two squarish, white plaster columns on either side of the double-door entrance. Above the door are arched windows, and above that a white Apple logo set on a corrugated backdrop, and framed by a square. The design reflects the 7 block-long pedestrian mall’s original architecture, which dates back to the 1920s, with an update in 1960 and an area revival in the 1990s. [Check these new photos]
{ Comments on this entry are closed }
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.
{ Comments on this entry are closed }
Loading ...