Apple might be on the verge of expanding Personal Pickup to a number of countries outside the U.S., finally allowing people in those regions to shop online but claim their purchases at a local Apple Store.
The company is already training retail clerks in Australia, France, the U.K., and other countries, sources informed MacRumors. The expansion could be ready as soon as this month -- possibly in tandem with the iPad Pro -- but is allegedly still in a position to be delayed until later this year, or even 2016.
Many of Apple's international markets offer the option to reserve in-store stock, but in that case the actual purchase process has to be completed in-person as well.
Personal Pickup first debuted in the U.S. in 2011. The option can be useful for people who want their device in the shortest amount of time possible, and/or don't want their device delivered to a regular address.
Once an order is ready, Apple sends the buyer an email or SMS alert telling them to head to the store they chose during the purchase process. At that point a shopper is simply expected to present a photo ID to confirm their identity.