Apple retail expert Gary Allen passes away at 67

Through his website ifoAppleStore, Allen became an important source of information about developments in Apple's retail chain. He was often able to obtain early and/or in-depth information about Apple's plans, and traveled globally to attend store openings, ultimately witnessing more than 140 of them.

Allen frequently waited in lines with other Apple fans, and his brother Jim told the Washington Post that he made friends around the world.

"I think that's the part of it he most enjoyed," Jim said.

ifoAppleStore came to a halt in March 2015. At the time Allen claimed this was because others were tracking Apple Stores, and he wanted to focus on friends and family as well as just having fun with his interest in Apple retail. Jim explained that in reality his brother stopped because of the brain cancer diagnosis, and didn't want people to worry about him.

Allen's history with AppleInsider extends as far back as 2004, when Apple was only just beginning to establish shops outside of the U.S. He continued to write for the site occasionally for several years.

The AppleInsider staff would like to extend condolences to all of Allen's friends and family.