The Apple retail stores in Japan were the first to host the official OS X Leopard debut, including the four-story Ginza store in Tokyo. Thanks to Tuds for a report on how well organized the event was and how many people attended.
While standing in line tonight for the 6 p.m. (local time) Leopard release, I suddenly realised that Japan is likely the first place Leopard is available in the world! So, here is my Flagship Store report for Leopard.
Apple executed another perfect event as usual, perhaps more-so here due to the Japanese penchant for perfection and supreme customer service. I arrived at the Ginza World Flagship store at 5:50 p.m. and paced out he 250 metre-long lineup in the rain, estimating about 1,000 people in line. I was here in Fall 2003 for the Grand Opening which extended well over 1 km (also a rainy day).
I went to the storefront for the 6 p.m. countdown, and the staff timed it exactly to the second. I know this because the clock on Wako Department Store tolled the Westminister Chimes on time to the second, and the Apple countdown ended on note!
Apple staff and security guards had fans cordoned off in an orderly way to let groups of 20 into the store at regular intervals. Passers by were really curious as to what was going on. At that point I walked to the end of the line to time how long it’d take to get in. I waited in line about 30 minutes before it was my turn to enter. Just before being let in, an Apple staff helpfully handed out umbrella condoms to the next 10 or 20 people in which we sheathed our wet umbrellas as not to mess up the floors.
Upon entering I was enthusiastically handed a custom Leopard T-shirt (to match my Grand Opening T-shirt), and was surprised to be offered a copy of Leopard in the next step! I asked if it was free, but the dude told me I’d have to pay for it…. :-) But I thought it was a great touch that the minute you stepped in, if you were buying, you’d have your copy in hand ready to go.
Then I was asked what floor I wanted to go to, and we were separated into three lines for 2nd to 4th floor, or you could just browse the 1st (ground) floor if you liked. I asked for the 2nd floor as the 1st floor was still mayhem, and the DJ was on the 2nd floor. An Apple dude escorted each party, dividing the crowd, to ensure speedy arrival at your destination.
On the second floor Ginza, you find the Genius Bar, iPod Bar, and ProCare Bar. I was able to immediately get on an iMac there and play with Leopard for about 10 minutes. Then I walked up to the 3rd floor which is an 84-seat theatre where it was standing room only for a live demo of Leopard.
Just then I saw the AsiaPac Retail Director for Apple whom I am acquainted with through business. I congratulated him on a great event and had a short, whispering chat. He was beaming as usual. That is him (Steve) in the middle of his staff.
Up on the 4th floor you find the Kids Corner and the iMac Internet Cafe as well as software and accessories. All 30 iMacs in the internet cafe were of course occupied, and people were buying Leopard in one hand, and accessories in the other. Cha-ching!
I wandered back down to the ground floor, and was surprised to see that there was an Apple “Busker” doing a Leopard demo there with a mic and a crowd of about 40 people watching on a 24″ iMac. remember there were about 120 people in the 3rd floor theater as well at the same time.
There was no shortage of Apple staff to answer quick questions, and ample points where the shrink-wrapped boxes of Leopard were on hand. Some Apple staff were still wandering around offering Leopard like hors d’oeuvres or champagne at a cocktail party!
I have to admit, I didn’t buy a copy there. I will pick it up tomorrow at my favourite electronics retailer here where I get loyalty points. This time I will use points for my Family Pack and not pay cash. Last week I picked up an iPod touch with points too!
:-)Cheers, Tuds
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow.. sounds like the Ginza event was awesome. Next time you purchase at another store using loyalty points don’t forget that it’s not easy to pay the rent in Ginza, not to mention the extremely well trained staff.
True Apple fans understand the investment Apple makes and therefore the service the staff provide. It all costs money. The denkiyasan’s (electronic stores) in Japan offer a few points so that you come back for crappy service.
Support great service, buy at an Apple Store.
Wow! thanks for the great description. Too bad no pictures though. I was looking for some nice shots of Apple Ginza during that time!
Joe
info@steamteam.ca
Wow.. poor apple 33% gross margin last quarter, don’t see how they keep their doors open.
Here’s the pix from Genza store found it at japanese mac fan website.
http://www.tcp-net.ad.jp/danbo/Leopard1026/index.html
Loyalty, I do consider myself a “true Apple fan”. In fact, just writing the review above of the Ginza Leopard event might give a clue of this fact, but let me say that there are myriad other ways to support Apple as a fan.
I am an Apple shareholder, I’ve owned 10 Macs (currently 2) since 1988, 6 iPods (currently 3), and often buy direct from Apple at the Ginza Store and Apple Online. I visit the Ginza Store at least twice a month and if I am meeting friends in Ginza, I tell them to find me browsing on the ground floor there, especially if they are non-Mac PC users, so I have an opportunity to convert them.
I am also a vendor to Apple and proactively sought them out and developed them as a client in order to contribute to their success.
I have converted about 75 friends and colleagues to the Mac platform in the past 6 years, and write a regular newsletter for their personal use because I promised them lifetime tech support from me personally if they bought a Mac. (I am like the Maytag repair man, rarely getting calls of any consequence.)
Also, with 11 years in Japan, I can tell you that the service at the denkiyasan (electronics retailers) is excellent in all respects. Apple’s retail service is both excellent and Different, and I enjoy it immensely. The denkiyasan also do not merely offer a few points, but rather 5-15% in yen value which cannot be ignored.
I am also a newly minted Apple ProCare Member, and have been a member of Dot Mac since it was the free iTools.
I know dozens of huge Mac fans and among them I am known as the “go to” Mac guy, so I guess my purpose in this long reply is to defend my loyalty to Apple by displaying all my credentials.
So, I think Steve Jobs will forgive me for saving a little money for my family by shopping at a different, but sanctioned retail channel and only contributing to margin on the manufacturing and not the retailing.
Cheers,
Tuds
PS Apple Ginza was reportedly selling US$1 million a week in 2005 and I am sure it is higher now. There is no doubt they pay their lease easily and also record a healthy profit at this global flagship location. (I Bet Chanel down the block uses their Ginza shop as a loss leader flagship, only good for PR and advertising.)
Thanks Snuffy great pics.
Joe
info@steamteam.ca
First.. I’m sure you’re a big, true blue Apple fan and I appreciate your loyalty.
Second.. the support and service at the Japanese electronic stores, while 10 steps above the Best Buys, Comp USA, etc of North America.. does not even come close to an Apple Store.
The so-called service you get is sales related only. It’s great, but if you have a problem, you need to know something more than basic compatibility, etc then you are screwed. If you buy a unit and it’s dead out of the box or breaks in the first few days.. they send you to the Apple Store or telephone support and will not exchange it under any circumstances.
Apple Retail and Apple Corporate.. need any other hints? Use one of your many Macs and maybe take an online course in economics.
P.S. You know a lot about Macs but nothing about the cost of real estate in Ginza.
Uh, you guys are forgetting about Australia and New Zealand. N.Z. got Leopard about 5h prior to Japan and parts of Australia got Leopard 2h prior Japan. Just lettin ya know. [IFO -- Good point!]