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
