Retail

Angela Ahrendts to join Apple as retail chief next week

Cody Lee ∙ April 23, 2014

During this afternoon's quarterly earnings call, Tim Cook announced that Angela Ahrendts will be officially joining Apple next week. The announcement was made last October, but Ahrendts has been under contract with her previous job—CEO of luxury clothing company Burberry—until now.

Ahrendts will join Apple as the Senior Vice President of Retail and Online Stores, a position that has seen significant turnover in recent years. In 2011, Ron Johnson left for a CEO position at JC Penney, and his replacement, John Browett, was ousted in less than a year due to a conflict in strategy...

GameStop ramping up expansion of wireless, Simply Mac stores

Cody Lee ∙ April 23, 2014

Popular video game retailer GameStop is making some significant moves to diversify its business. During an investor presentation yesterday titled “Beyond the Game,” the company's Chief Financial Officer Rob Lloyd said it plans to invest up to $140 million this year building new Spring Mobile and Simply Mac locations.

GameStop acquired both small chains last year in an effort to broaden its business outside of the seemingly-dying used video game racket . Spring Mobile is a third-party retailer for AT&T products and Simply Mac is an authorized Apple product dealer that sets up in areas that are too small for an actual Apple Store...

Apple expands in-store trade-ins to include iPads

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 9, 2016

Apple's in-store Reuse & Recycling program in the United States and Canada is now available to iPad owners, too, according to a new report Tuesday.

If you have a used iPad lying around that needs getting rid of, take it to a nearby Apple Store and the company will give you a store credit, depending on its model, condition, age, physical appearance and other factors.

Apple uses a list of 22 criteria to evaluate if your device is eligible for trade. Devices that won't power on, have smashed screens, are jailbroken or use non-Apple parts won't be considered for a credit...

Retina iPad mini refurbs now available

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 17, 2014

Apple's iPad mini with Retina display is great until the reality hits you in your face with a lofty price tag of four hundred bucks for the entry-level model with just sixteen gigabytes of storage and no cellular connectivity. From time to time, Apple makes good-as-new gear such as iPads and MacBooks available for purchase at reduced prices via the refurbished section of its Online Apple Store.

And now, for the first time the company's iPad mini with Retina display is available refurbished, too, starting at $419 for for the Wi-Fi model with 32 gigabytes of storage. That's sixteen percent off for a cool $80 savings over the list price. The 64GB Wi-Fi refurb costs $509, or $90 less versus standard pricing for brand new models...

Apple Stores and corporate campus to celebrate 2014 Earth Day

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 17, 2014

Apple's brick-and-mortar stores in the United States and around the world will celebrate the upcoming Earth Day next Tuesday, April 22. According to a new report Thursday, Apple's Cupertino, California campus will also join the celebration with a major internal event on April 22 focused on 2014 Earth Day.

This year's Earth Day, prefixed with Green Cities, is focused on environment-friendly buildings, transportation and cities. Apple Stores will change their logo color to green to mark the occasion. More info right after the break...

Apple’s incoming SVP of Retail can leave Burberry this month, but may stay until June for bonus

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Angela Ahrendts, Apple's incoming SVP of Retail, may not be in her new position as quickly as once thought.

The Guardian first noted that Ahrendts can leave her gig as the CEO of Burberry during April, but may stay for a bit longer to collect an £8 million share bonus that will be awarded from the fashion giant in June.

Texas Instruments pledges support for iBeacon tech in several Bluetooth products

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

It's been almost a year now since Apple unveiled its iBeacon geolocation technology, and I really don't think it could have hoped for better results. The tech has been implemented in a number of settings including retail and grocery stores, MLB ballparks, and more, and it seems to get more popular every day.

As evidence of that, Texas Instruments pledged its faith in iBeacon today, announcing support for the tech across its Bluetooth low energy portfolio including chips for embedded and automotive applications. The company also launched a new iBeacon-location app that works with its SensorTag development kit...

Apple’s iPhone trade-in program extends to Germany

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 7, 2014

Apple's own iPhone trade-in program is now available across company-owned online and brick-and-mortar retail outlets in Germany. Now available via the Online Apple Store and through Apple's free Apple Store application for the iPhone and iPad, the initiative allows German shoppers to trade-in their existing device in good condition and receive a gift card worth up to €230, or about 315 in US dollars.

Like in the United States, German customers can then redeem the amount on the gift card against a new iPhone purchase to help bring down the upfront cost of the hardware. Your existing devices get disposed of in an environmentally friendly way instead of ending up in landfills...

Must-see: Apple’s breathtaking Istanbul store

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

With grand opening of Apple's first retail store in Turkey confirmed for this coming Saturday, Apple dispatched Steve Cano, its Vice President of Retail Operations, to Istanbul to show off the structure's incredible architecture and design to the press.

Although CEO Tim Cook and Turkish President Abdullah Gül were not in attendance, the significance of this particular store, Apple’s 424th, can't be overstated. If you've been following Apple's retail efforts, you're familiar with the look and feel of the company's flagship retail locations, often likened to the shrines attracting devotees who worship Apple's sexy products there.

But starting with the recently redesigned Stanford 2 store in North California, Apple has seemingly adopted a fresh new design language for its brick-and-mortar locations, now focused on the 100 percent seamless glass appearance with lots of open space so visitors feel like they're part of the surrounding landscape.

The new Turkish store is a continuation of this trend and you really need to see the photographs to truly appreciate what Apple has accomplished here...

Apple to open small stores in India with a focus on low-end iOS devices

Cody Lee ∙ March 11, 2014

Citing sources familiar with the company's retail plans, The Economic Times is reporting today that Apple is working with local distributors in India to set up small shops in larger cities to push some older-model iPhones and iPads, as well as some lower-end Macs.

The initiative is part of Apple's ongoing efforts to make inroads into the country, where its iPhone only accounts for about 2% of the smartphone market. These new shops, according to the report, will focus on cheaper devices like the iPhone 4 and 4s, and the iPad 2...

Tim Cook, Turkish president to attend opening of Apple’s Istanbul store on April 4

Cody Lee ∙ March 5, 2014

Earlier this year, Tim Cook traveled to Turkey to meet with the country's president, to reportedly discuss the opening of a retail store in Istanbul, research and development and other matters. The store opening is of particular significance, as it would be Apple's first in the region.

Well it looks like the talks were successful. According to Turkish Apple blog ElmaDergisi, Apple is set to open a retail store in Istanbul's Zorlu Center on April 4. And as proof of the gravity of the event, both Cook and Turkish president Abdullah Gül are expected to be in attendance...

Apple Stores reportedly treating Apple TV buyers to $25 iTunes Gift Cards

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 28, 2014

Fueling rumors of a potential Apple TV hardware refresh next month, Apple has apparently instructed its retail employees to start treating Apple TV buyers to $25 iTunes Gift Cards, basically bringing the price of the $99 media-streaming box down to $74.

Of course, you're still paying the full price for the Apple TV hardware, Apple is just throwing in a $25 iTunes Gift Card with every new purchase. The credit can be redeemed against any content purchase in the company's many online stores.

So in a nutshell, you're getting a $25 iTunes credit for apps, books, movies, music and more, free of charge. The offer is valid through March 5, 2014...