AppleInsider Staff
This was a big weekend for Apple's retail operations, as the company opened four entirely new stores, along with a handful of larger and improved replacement locations.
Apple's store in Rockaway, N.J., moved to a new and improved location this Saturday, and AppleInsider reader Ryan was onhand for the grand opening festivities. The new full-size location replaces the previous mini Apple Store that the company had in Rockaway.
The 6,000 square-foot space features Apple's new dual Genius Bar design, which allows the company to accommodate more customers seeking service.
Also in America, Apple opened a replacement store in Santa Monica, Calif., at the Third Street Promenade. The new location is based on the design of Apple's Upper West Side store in New York City.
Santa Monica Apple Store. | Source: AppleInsider reader ScottElsewhere around the world, this weekend was the debut of Apple's new store in the Westfield Fountain Gate shopping center in Fountain Gate, Australia. AppleInsider reader Luke was in line for the grand opening.
This weekend also saw the opening of Apple's brand new retail store in Hong Kong's Hysan Place. The location in Causeway Bay features an all-glass 30-foot front facade that AppleInsider reader Joseph captured in this panoramic shot.
Finally, Apple's retail operations also expanded to new stores in Chengdu, China, and Malmo, Sweden. The company also held a grand reopening for its Garden State Plaza store in New Jersey last weekend.
Apple opened a total of 33 new brick-and-mortar stores during is fiscal year 2012, with 28 of them located outside of the U.S. The total number of worldwide Apple Stores at the time was 390.
Wesley Hilliard
Charles Martin
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
25 Comments
I bet they only sold 2 phones at each of these stores and the stock will trade down on Monday.
I walked by the Microsoft store at South Coast Plaza in Orange County, Southern California yesterday. I was once again astounded by the degree to which they have copied the Apple Store. It is quite literally shameless. As usual the cloned T-shirt and plastic lanyarded staff outnumbered shoppers. Across the street the Apple Store was so crowded you could barely get in. And people were actually buying things. I do wish Apple would do some noise abatement work in their stores. All those beautifully minimal hard surfaces reflect sound to the point where it's hard to talk and be understood. It should be quiet and contemplative, not this din.
[quote name="Robin Huber" url="/t/155041/photos-from-apples-latest-retail-openings-in-us-australia-china#post_2247371"]I walked by the Microsoft store at South Coast Plaza in Orange County, Southern California yesterday. I was once again astounded by the degree to which they have copied the Apple Store. It is quite literally shameless. As usual the cloned T-shirt and plastic lanyarded staff outnumbered shoppers. Across the street the Apple Store was so crowded you could barely get in. And people were actually buying things. [/QUOTE] At least they are copying something that can't be protected by IP, even if it is shameless. [QUOTE]I do wish Apple would do some noise abatement work in their stores. All those beautifully minimal hard surfaces reflect sound to the point where it's hard to talk and be understood. It should be quiet and contemplative, not this din.[/quote] You may find this interesting if you haven't already read it... [LIST] [*] http://www.mondaynote.com/2012/11/11/minding-the-applestore [/LIST]
You may find this interesting if you haven't already read it...
Cool article. Proof that amazing design needs to be balanced with practical considerations. I think sometimes practicality comes out on the skinny end.
[quote name="SolipsismX" url="/t/155041/photos-from-apples-latest-retail-openings-in-us-australia-china#post_2247372"] At least they are copying something that can't be protected by IP, even if it is shameless. You may find this interesting if you haven't already read it... [LIST] [*] http://www.mondaynote.com/2012/11/11/minding-the-applestore [/LIST][/quote] Thanks for the link–interesting and apropos read.