So far, Apple has only announced that it will open a store in London, leaving open whether any other European or Scandanavian city will host an official store. Yet, the company is hiring retail-related personnel for its Bunnik (Netherlands) office, and also developing its Apple Centre plans.

I've heard that several French and Italian resellers will have their locations renovated, using standard architectural plans that closely resemble U.S. Apple stores. In fact, there are some renderings of the exterior and interior of what a standard Apple Centre should look like. Obviously, the existing store's location, shape and size would vary this stanard design.

I hear there are 70 Apple Centres in Europe, with about 12 in Italy. An architect from the UK is visiting the existing stores to plan make-overs to this standard design.

The exterior of an Apple Centre features the white Apple logo on black sign, and what appears to be stone or stainless steel siding. Inside, you can see the white Corian display counters, and white walls.

Inside, the furnishings follow the early U.S. store design guidelines: wooden flooring, white walls with graphics, black shelving and white Corian furniture.