No matter now many stores Apple has built, visitors continue to fill them up, according to an analysis of quarterly figures released by the company. The figures show that the number of visitors spikes significantly each holiday quarter, and then drops back. But with just two exceptions since 2001, the average number of visitors has increased each quarter. The pattern seems to indicate there is a pent-up demand for Apple stores, either for the products they sell or the support the Genius Bars provide. Even as Apple has opened more stores within the same metro areas, the total number of visitors has gone up. Apple executives said last month that they expect to open 35-40 new stores during fiscal 2008.
