Apple Store

Apple Stores now selling T-Mobile iPhones, $50 discounts available for a limited time

Either an exclusivity window with other carriers has passed or Apple needed some time to figure out how to sell and activate devices with Uncarrier service, but the wait is over - you can now waltz inside an Apple Store and safely buy and activate an iPhone on T-Mobile's prepaid service.

To sweeten the deal, Apple and T-Mobile are treating customers who buy an iPhone with a prepaid T-Mobile plan to a cool $50 discount, for a limited time. Moreover, folks buying an iPhone with T-Mobile's Simple Choice plan will receive a $50 iTunes gift card...

Angela Ahrendts shares advice on starting anew at Apple

Apple retail chief Angela Ahrendts has had quite the experience since joining the iPhone maker's leadership team last month. Ahrendts has posted a letter on LinkedIn that details her transition to her new role at Apple, following an eight-year tenure as CEO of the luxury fashion brand Burberry. In her memo, she discusses a few insights that allowed her to adapt to the Silicon Valley culture… 

Apple’s Angela Ahrendts sends out first memo to retail staff

Angela Ahrendts began here tenure as Apple's senior vice president of retail and online sales in early May. The former Burberry CEO has made a good first impression in her first month, garnering praise from folks inside and outside the company.

Today, Ahrendts sent out her first memo to Apple retail employees, which officially sets the tone for her incumbency. In the letter she thanks everyone for their hospitality, and pledges to continue to evolve the customer journey in stores and online...

Apple posts video showing off new Japan retail store

Last night, Apple posted a video to its official YouTube channel showing off its newest retail store in Japan. The store is located in Omotesando, Tokyo, and it includes a brushed aluminum staircase and other unique architectural features.

Photos of the outside of the store surfaced in May, showing what appeared to be a power-saving green curtain of foliage draped down one wall. But this new video from Apple takes you on a brief virtual tour of the entire multi-floor building...

US Apple Stores to begin offering prepaid and month-to-month iPhone plans

According to a new report from 9to5Mac, Apple is preparing to begin offering prepaid and month-to-month iPhone plans in its US retail stores. This will mark the first time in the US that customers will be able to go into an Apple Store, and walk out with a prepaid iPhone.

Customers will be able to purchase an iPhone at full retail, pick from a handful of prepaid or month-to-month plans offered by AT&T, T-Mobile and others, and have it activated in-store. The initiative is part of a larger effort by Apple to bolster non-subsidized iPhone sales...

New Japan Apple Store features eco-friendly ‘green’ wall for climate control

Last week, Apple's Lisa Jackson spoke at the Fortune Brainstorm Green conference about the company's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. She noted that all of its data centers run on renewable energy, and it's working toward a similar goal with its retail stores.

And today we get a glimpse of those efforts with photos of a new Apple Store in Tokyo, Japan. The store, which is expected to open next month, features an eco-friendly design with a curtain of thick vines on at least one wall that will help control the store's climate...

Apple offering free shipping on all online orders

Apple has launched a new promotion on its web store, which gives customers free shipping on all online orders through the end of the month. It doesn't give a specific reason for the event, but we're coming up on both Memorial and Father's Day.

While Apple has long-offered free shipping on orders over $50, this deal would allow you to purchase a case, Lightning cable, or any other low-cost accessory without having to spend the extra $4-$6 (depending on location) for standard shipping...

Apple planning new flagship Manhattan Store in retail push

Apple is getting serious about its retail expansion, amongst record sales. The latest Apple Store murmurs are a new flagship store in New York City - an area where it's already represented well in the streets.

Apple Store tracking blog "ifo Apple Store" is reporting a building permit has been issued for a greater Apple presence on New York City’s Upper East Side. The permits are dated May 15th and cover soil testing underneath the structure, and demolition of the building’s interior, costing $20,000 and $60,000 respectively.

Angela Ahrendts makes good first impression in first weeks at Apple

Apple's former SVP of retail John Browett left a bad taste in everyone's mouth. After just six months in the position, it was pretty clear he wasn't right for the job, and Tim Cook fired him. And not only that, but he spent over a year finding a proper replacement.

The good news is, that replacement was Angela Ahrendts, and by all accounts she's nothing like Browett. In fact, according to a new report from 9to5Mac, she has already visited a number Apple Stores in the the San Francisco area, and the employees love her...

Apple expands its iPad trade-in program overseas

Last month, Apple expanded its in-store trade-in program to include iPads. Under its Reuse and Recycling initiative, the program allows users to bring in their old iPads and trade them in for store credit, based on model, condition and other factors.

Initially, the option was only available at Apple stores in the US and Canada, but the company has expanded it overseas this week. Reports are coming in this morning that the iPad trade-in program is now available in France, Spain and Germany...

Apple cuts refund times for returns in half

One of Tim Cook's latest tricks meant to improve shopping experience and boost sales at Apple's online store is decreased refund turnaround times for product returns, according to a Reuters report Monday. Previously, it took about ten working days to get a refund, according to estimates by retail-intelligence firm StellaService. These refund times have now been cut in half so customers can get a refund in a less than a week...

Apple kicks off in-store iPhone upgrade event

As rumored earlier in the week, Apple has kicked off a new in-store iPhone upgrade program today. The company has put up signs and other marketing materials in its retail stores, and has begun emailing customers with older model handsets.

The purpose of the event is to get those who still have an iPhone 4 or iPhone 4s into a 5s or 5c, as Apple attempts to move remaining stock ahead of the fall's anticipated refresh. The company has even upped its trade-in offers to sweeten the deal...