Fifth Avenue Store Inventory
Apple has a very sophisticated product distribution and inventory system, ensuring that its retail stores have products available to sell, but not creating a huge oversupply, either in the stores or back in warehouses. Periodically, Apple stores—like most other retailers—count the products being held in inventory for financial accounting, loss prevention and ordering reasons. Taking an inventory at smaller stores is fairly routine, since there are fewer products and the task can be performed during closing hours. However, at the Fifth Avenue (NYC) store, taking inventory is complicated by the size of the store’s product supply and its 24-hour operation.
These photos from a public Web site show the store in a state of inventory by a private company several years ago. The photos also show the upstair, public retail space, and the downstairs, rarely-seen back-of-house area during an inventory. Three photos also show the Genius Room area.
Upstairs, a section of the retail space is cordoned off by stanchions, and each display area is lettered on blue cards in preparation for inventory.
In this view, you can see the area letters A, B and C for the inventory.
The inventory crew is using electronic devices to record the inventory in the "U" area.
Downstairs, below the public retail space, the inventory crew is counting products. Note the overhead wiring, pipes and surveillance camera.
This photo shows the back-of-house, rolling shelves that store larger products (printers, etc.). Pink inventory tags are placed on the shelves for ID. The large pipe overhead is wrapped in foam to prevent head injuries.
This is the "cage" area of the back-of-house, with high-value products locked up. Note the overhead pipes and the yellow and black warning tape on sections of the side wall that intrude into the aisle.
Rolling metal shelves hold various service parts for product repairs. Air handling ducts are wrapped in silver-colored material at the ceiling.
This shelving holds miscellaneous items, including cleaning supplies.
A close-up of demo nano and iPod Classic products.
This is a station in the back-of-house Genius Room area.
The Genius Room area in the back-of-house.
Each metal bin at the top contains the equipment for each Genius (labels obscured).