The 2008 retail store machine has cranked up into high gear, insuring Apple will open another 40 stores this year, most by the Thanksgiving start of the holiday shopping season. The stores are scattered around the country, filling in existing U.S. regions and adding one new store in Canada. The “Big 3″ states will receive even more stores: Texas will receive two new stores, while Florida and California will each open one additional store. America’s top tourist destination will also receive an additional store–Las Vegas. All of the stores are scheduled for a June-August grand opening.
First, Apple will add a third store for Las Vegas, this time at The Shops at the Forum, adjacent to Caeser’s Palace Hotel and Casino. The huge, indoor, arcade-style mall simulates an outdoor street of very upscale shops, with huge plazas along the way. The mall is mid-way on the strip, making it a popular drop-in destination, and is also a busy venue for sporting events and music concerts.
Next, the San Diego region will receive another store, at The Forum (Carlsbad) shopping center, a coastal community along Interstate 5 about 23 miles north of the existing University Town Center store.
The North Star mall in San Antonio (Tex.) was identified as a retail store site last August, but now the location has been confirmed. It will be the second store for the region, and about 12 miles from the existing La Cantera retail store.
The Houston (Tex.) region will receive its sixth store, with the opening of a branch at the Willowbrook mall on the city’s northwest side. The store is just 16 miles from the existing Memorial City store.
The Tampa (Fla.) area will receive store #2 with the addition of an outlet at the Westfield Brandon mall, which is about 20 miles east of the existing International Plaza store.
Lastly, the predicted Calgary (Canada) store has never materialized. But Apple is moving ahead with a new store at the gigantic West Edmonton (Edmonton, AB) shopping center, that includes hundreds of retailers, along with a water park, aquarium, IMAX theaters and other indoor attractions.
