Comments on: Are the Stores Actually Crowded? http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/09/22/are-the-stores-actually-crowded/ news and information about Apple Inc.'s retail stores Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:28:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: MacRand http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/09/22/are-the-stores-actually-crowded/comment-page-1/#comment-15521 MacRand Tue, 02 Oct 2007 20:02:00 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/2007/09/22/are-the-stores-actually-crowded/#comment-15521 Phoenix AZ store at Biltmore Fashion Park is always crowded with Buyers - I've never seen so many people ready to buy with money in hand. Luckily, if the Phx store is out of something I need, a 30 mile drive across the Valley of the Sun (metro Phx) to Chandler AZ at the Chandler Fashion Center can be worthwhile, but I always call ahead since they too are busy. Is Gilbert AZ the next location for a new store, possibly the new San Tan Mall? Apple is smart to provide online reservation for service at the Genus bar, otherwise, showing up at any AZ store and signing in means a long wait. Yep, all the stores in all the states I've visited are crowded...with lots of buyers. The San Francisco store display with BOSE noise-canceling ear phones like I already have convinced me to buy my 1st classic iPod... later, back in Phoenix. Phoenix AZ store at Biltmore Fashion Park is always crowded with Buyers - I’ve never seen so many people ready to buy with money in hand.
Luckily, if the Phx store is out of something I need, a 30 mile drive across the Valley of the Sun (metro Phx) to Chandler AZ at the Chandler Fashion Center can be worthwhile, but I always call ahead since they too are busy.
Is Gilbert AZ the next location for a new store, possibly the new San Tan Mall?
Apple is smart to provide online reservation for service at the Genus bar, otherwise, showing up at any AZ store and signing in means a long wait.
Yep, all the stores in all the states I’ve visited are crowded…with lots of buyers.
The San Francisco store display with BOSE noise-canceling ear phones like I already have convinced me to buy my 1st classic iPod… later, back in Phoenix.

]]> By: Ace Ventura http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/09/22/are-the-stores-actually-crowded/comment-page-1/#comment-15514 Ace Ventura Tue, 02 Oct 2007 17:29:19 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/2007/09/22/are-the-stores-actually-crowded/#comment-15514 Went to the valley fair mall in San Jose, CA last friday evening, about an hour before the mall closed. The Apple store there is undergoing renovations, so it is 1/2 the normal size. It was so packed that I could barely walk around the kiosks. People of all ages walking out with products ranging from macbooks, macbook pros to a mac pro tower. Lots of sales activity. The mall in general was pretty busy, but apple's store had way more traffic than any other store I saw at the mall. Their biggest problem is probably servicing customers quickly enough. Went to the valley fair mall in San Jose, CA last friday evening, about an hour before the mall closed.

The Apple store there is undergoing renovations, so it is 1/2 the normal size.

It was so packed that I could barely walk around the kiosks. People of all ages walking out with products ranging from macbooks, macbook pros to a mac pro tower. Lots of sales activity.

The mall in general was pretty busy, but apple’s store had way more traffic than any other store I saw at the mall.

Their biggest problem is probably servicing customers quickly enough.

]]> By: Paul Ashton http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/09/22/are-the-stores-actually-crowded/comment-page-1/#comment-15420 Paul Ashton Mon, 01 Oct 2007 11:52:53 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/2007/09/22/are-the-stores-actually-crowded/#comment-15420 I visited Birmingham's Bullring store on a recent Sunday afternoon. Packed house with all the just-announced iPods on view. Waiting in line to buy a replacement power supply for my PowerBook (yes they do carry items for older Macs) I could not help but notice how many computers were being bought, mostly MacBooks. I asked the sales assistant hopw many they sold in a day. he of course couldn't tell me the number but paraphrased "lots"! To Retail Professional above I would say that yes, converting casual visitors to buyers will always be a challenge but first you have to get those visitors inside and Apple does this better than anyone. But more important, many visitors are not casual at all, they have entered with a mission - to buy something! I visited Birmingham’s Bullring store on a recent Sunday afternoon. Packed house with all the just-announced iPods on view. Waiting in line to buy a replacement power supply for my PowerBook (yes they do carry items for older Macs) I could not help but notice how many computers were being bought, mostly MacBooks. I asked the sales assistant hopw many they sold in a day. he of course couldn’t tell me the number but paraphrased “lots”!

To Retail Professional above I would say that yes, converting casual visitors to buyers will always be a challenge but first you have to get those visitors inside and Apple does this better than anyone. But more important, many visitors are not casual at all, they have entered with a mission - to buy something!

]]> By: Mark Wilson http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/09/22/are-the-stores-actually-crowded/comment-page-1/#comment-15277 Mark Wilson Sat, 29 Sep 2007 05:33:44 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/2007/09/22/are-the-stores-actually-crowded/#comment-15277 The Honolulu Ala Moana is always crowded. Frequently packed. The Kahala Mall store is usually not crowded, sometimes slow. So to John, the Roseville store probably will not relieve the crowds at Arden Fair. Kahala - web.mac.com/marktrek/iWeb/Site%202/Kahala%20Mall.html The Honolulu Ala Moana is always crowded. Frequently packed.
The Kahala Mall store is usually not crowded, sometimes slow. So to John, the Roseville store probably will not relieve the crowds at Arden Fair.
Kahala - web.mac.com/marktrek/iWeb/Site%202/Kahala%20Mall.html

]]> By: John http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/09/22/are-the-stores-actually-crowded/comment-page-1/#comment-15244 John Fri, 28 Sep 2007 18:09:04 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/2007/09/22/are-the-stores-actually-crowded/#comment-15244 The Arden Fair Apple Store in Sacramento, CA is now regularly overcrowded, too. I stopped by mid-afternoon last Saturday and noticed that the entrance was cordoned off. I asked the Apple employee at the door if the store was closed and he motioned to a line across the walkway outside the store, explaining that the store had reached its fire code capacity and customers actually had to wait in line to get inside! Even with a Roseville, CA store opening soon, the Arden Fair store badly needs to be expanded. The Arden Fair Apple Store in Sacramento, CA is now regularly overcrowded, too. I stopped by mid-afternoon last Saturday and noticed that the entrance was cordoned off. I asked the Apple employee at the door if the store was closed and he motioned to a line across the walkway outside the store, explaining that the store had reached its fire code capacity and customers actually had to wait in line to get inside!

Even with a Roseville, CA store opening soon, the Arden Fair store badly needs to be expanded.

]]> By: zoetmb http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/09/22/are-the-stores-actually-crowded/comment-page-1/#comment-15184 zoetmb Thu, 27 Sep 2007 22:38:17 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/2007/09/22/are-the-stores-actually-crowded/#comment-15184 Just as the most significant indicator of retail success is same store sales growth, the same is true of whether stores are crowded. Same store traffic stats comparing different dates is the only true indicator. The New York City stores are always crowded. Outside of major cities, I've visited many malls in which during the daytime on a weekday you could throw a bowling ball down the mall and no one would be hit. I'm amazed that some of these malls can survive. Since Apple wants to be so hip, I'm actually surprised they've gone with malls instead of finding either stand-alone locations or Main Street in some locales. Just as the most significant indicator of retail success is same store sales growth, the same is true of whether stores are crowded. Same store traffic stats comparing different dates is the only true indicator.

The New York City stores are always crowded.

Outside of major cities, I’ve visited many malls in which during the daytime on a weekday you could throw a bowling ball down the mall and no one would be hit. I’m amazed that some of these malls can survive.

Since Apple wants to be so hip, I’m actually surprised they’ve gone with malls instead of finding either stand-alone locations or Main Street in some locales.

]]> By: James http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/09/22/are-the-stores-actually-crowded/comment-page-1/#comment-15121 James Wed, 26 Sep 2007 20:08:08 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/2007/09/22/are-the-stores-actually-crowded/#comment-15121 As one would imagine, the Apple stores in Manhattan are consistently insanely crowded. As one would imagine, the Apple stores in Manhattan are consistently insanely crowded.

]]> By: Michael Jennings http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/09/22/are-the-stores-actually-crowded/comment-page-1/#comment-15099 Michael Jennings Wed, 26 Sep 2007 16:32:02 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/2007/09/22/are-the-stores-actually-crowded/#comment-15099 London (Regent Street) was utterly packed when I was there yesterday. I was attempting to buy an iPod touch, but they were sold out and they told me to come back tomorrow (and to come early). The tables with the iPod touches and the new nanos were crowded, too. I think it is pretty obvious that Apple has major hits with both those produces, and there are clearly going to have an absolutely huge Christmas. London (Regent Street) was utterly packed when I was there yesterday. I was attempting to buy an iPod touch, but they were sold out and they told me to come back tomorrow (and to come early). The tables with the iPod touches and the new nanos were crowded, too. I think it is pretty obvious that Apple has major hits with both those produces, and there are clearly going to have an absolutely huge Christmas.

]]> By: Mike http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/09/22/are-the-stores-actually-crowded/comment-page-1/#comment-15047 Mike Tue, 25 Sep 2007 16:19:59 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/2007/09/22/are-the-stores-actually-crowded/#comment-15047 The Tampa store is an outright public health hazard. I could barely breathe much less move around the other day. Had there been a fire, everyone would have died. I'm lucky not to have been trampled. My hands did swell up and turn red though. They need a door person controlling occupancy there at all times year-round, and I told them as such (but as usual they ignored me). The Tampa store is an outright public health hazard. I could barely breathe much less move around the other day. Had there been a fire, everyone would have died. I’m lucky not to have been trampled. My hands did swell up and turn red though. They need a door person controlling occupancy there at all times year-round, and I told them as such (but as usual they ignored me).

]]> By: Mumbo http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/09/22/are-the-stores-actually-crowded/comment-page-1/#comment-14998 Mumbo Mon, 24 Sep 2007 17:48:47 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/2007/09/22/are-the-stores-actually-crowded/#comment-14998 Has anyone been in Regent Street lately? Its packed with people buying... Let the good times roll Has anyone been in Regent Street lately? Its packed with people buying… Let the good times roll

]]> By: Brian Kaemepn http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/09/22/are-the-stores-actually-crowded/comment-page-1/#comment-14991 Brian Kaemepn Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:50:14 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/2007/09/22/are-the-stores-actually-crowded/#comment-14991 I was in North Michigan Avenue saturday night just before closing and the place was still busy, however, there wasn't a line for the register. I left about 5 minutes before the store actually closed, so maybe there was a rush then, but probably not. Most iMacs were taken but only a few MacBooks and Pros were being used. The iPod side was plenty busy, but again you could still find the occasional open one. The theatre was done for the day so only had one guy sitting there, same with Genius, iPod, and Studio, they were all finishing up with their last appointment. I'd say they're still busy and they're certainly making the money. -Brian I was in North Michigan Avenue saturday night just before closing and the place was still busy, however, there wasn’t a line for the register. I left about 5 minutes before the store actually closed, so maybe there was a rush then, but probably not. Most iMacs were taken but only a few MacBooks and Pros were being used. The iPod side was plenty busy, but again you could still find the occasional open one. The theatre was done for the day so only had one guy sitting there, same with Genius, iPod, and Studio, they were all finishing up with their last appointment.

I’d say they’re still busy and they’re certainly making the money.

-Brian

]]> By: Retail Professional http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/09/22/are-the-stores-actually-crowded/comment-page-1/#comment-14984 Retail Professional Mon, 24 Sep 2007 14:41:23 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/2007/09/22/are-the-stores-actually-crowded/#comment-14984 As someone who has worked in retail more than 20 years I will warn you all not to confuse crowding with sales. The data released by Apple most likely represent the # of transactions that occur in the store..i.e. register rings. Given the Apple's stores penchant for drawing gawkers, schmiers and tire kickers the qusntity of customers in the store is likely very high compared to the buyers. The trick in retail is to convert traffic into buyers and too much traffic makes it difficult for th sales staff to ID the buyers and service them. Apple does a great job driving traffic, how good it is at converting triers into buyers is unknown. As someone who has worked in retail more than 20 years I will warn you all not to confuse crowding with sales. The data released by Apple most likely represent the # of transactions that occur in the store..i.e. register rings. Given the Apple’s stores penchant for drawing gawkers, schmiers and tire kickers the qusntity of customers in the store is likely very high compared to the buyers. The trick in retail is to convert traffic into buyers and too much traffic makes it difficult for th sales staff to ID the buyers and service them. Apple does a great job driving traffic, how good it is at converting triers into buyers is unknown.

]]> By: John Aislabie http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/09/22/are-the-stores-actually-crowded/comment-page-1/#comment-14983 John Aislabie Mon, 24 Sep 2007 14:02:07 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/2007/09/22/are-the-stores-actually-crowded/#comment-14983 Ginza, Tokyo today; Japan has no iPhone, no iTouch and no iTunes movie store to use an AppleTV - result? The store is still packed! Ginza, Tokyo today; Japan has no iPhone, no iTouch and no iTunes movie store to use an AppleTV - result? The store is still packed!

]]> By: MM http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/09/22/are-the-stores-actually-crowded/comment-page-1/#comment-14980 MM Mon, 24 Sep 2007 13:51:40 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/2007/09/22/are-the-stores-actually-crowded/#comment-14980 I work at Apple store XXX, and it is just a zoo. We were all talking about how Apple will definitly set new retail records for THE ENTIRE RETAIL INDUSTRY this holiday season. The daily crowds are already like last years holiday season, it's unreal. It's not even October, and it already feels like working there any day is like running in a marathon. I work at Apple store XXX, and it is just a zoo. We were all talking about how Apple will definitly set new retail records for THE ENTIRE RETAIL INDUSTRY this holiday season. The daily crowds are already like last years holiday season, it’s unreal.
It’s not even October, and it already feels like working there any day is like running in a marathon.

]]> By: genomegk http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/09/22/are-the-stores-actually-crowded/comment-page-1/#comment-14958 genomegk Mon, 24 Sep 2007 03:40:42 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/2007/09/22/are-the-stores-actually-crowded/#comment-14958 Funny, I just happened to be in the Nashville TN store today (Sunday) and it was packed (50+ people). It seemed to me that the Apple Store has become a destination. Every product area was crowded except one...was that a force field around the classic iPod table? Funny, I just happened to be in the Nashville TN store today (Sunday) and it was packed (50+ people). It seemed to me that the Apple Store has become a destination. Every product area was crowded except one…was that a force field around the classic iPod table?

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