Retail

Apple’s first Latin America retail outlet opens in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 18, 2016

Brazil is the most expensive place to buy an iPhone 5s: the entry-level 16GB model is selling for 2,799 Brazilian reals, or about $1,175, compared to $649 in the United States. But that didn't stop large crowds from gathering for the opening of the company's first retail outlet in the region.

The new store, located in the popular Village Mall in Barra de Tijuaca, Rio de Janeiro's popular suburb, has attracted about 1,700 people Sunday, according to media reports. Apple's official presence in the region conveniently comes in advance of the FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympics...

Verizon brings same-day delivery service to ten more U.S. cities

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 12, 2014

Verizon Wireless, the nation's top wireless carrier by subscribers and revenue, announced Wednesday its same-day delivery service is now available in an additional ten cities in the United States. The expansion comes on top of the five launch markets.

In July 2013, Verizon became the first wireless carrier to offer this service with a pilot program in Philadelphia, which was then expanded in October to include New York City, Dallas, Pittsburgh and San Francisco. The Big Red carrier charges $19.99 to get your mobile device delivered the same day, with delivery guaranteed by 7pm local time...

Target launches time-limited deals on iOS devices

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 18, 2016

Target, the nation's second-largest discount retailer, is launching some pretty interesting deals on Apple's iOS devices. Starting this coming Sunday, February 9, and through next week's Saturday, February 15, customers in the market for an iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPad Air and any iPad mini can get discounts in the form of gift cards.

The time-limited promotion will see some of these devices discounted by as much as $50 versus Apple's asking prices. Jump past the fold for the full per-product breakdown...

‘Unique’ Istanbul Apple Store opening in April, Siri, R&D and more from Cook’s Turkey tour

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 18, 2016

Yesterday, Turkish government officially confirmed that Apple CEO Tim Cook was meeting President Abdullah Gül at the Çankaya Presidential Compound in Ankara to discuss a potential $4.5 billion iPad deal and other major initiatives and incentives in the 74 million people country.

The official website of the Turkish government on Tuesday published details of the meeting. The two leaders have covered a wide range of topics, including the possibility of an Apple research and development center in Turkey and how iPads could help improve education in the country.

President Gül wanted to know whether Apple could add Turkish support to Siri and Cook was interested in a possibility of Turkey dropping its special luxury taxes that are being applied to iPhone and iPad sales in the country...

Tim Cook visits with Prime Minister, retailers in United Arab Emirates

Cody Lee ∙ February 3, 2014

Following his trip to Ireland last week, Tim Cook was spotted at several electronics outlets in the United Arab Emirates this weekend. The CEO posed for pictures while visiting malls in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The reason for his visit is unknown, but a UAE-based newspaper is reporting that Cook also met with UAE Prime Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and other officials while in the region...

You can now get $50 off any mobile phone at Best Buy any time during 2014

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 7, 2017

The United States electronics retailer Best Buy on Thursday announced an interesting new promotion giving anyone who signs up for a $50 gift card the ability to redeem the credit when purchasing and activating any mobile phone at Best Buy, any time during 2014.

The promo theoretically means you could get $50 off your future iPhone 6 purchase.

Not sure if this was Best Buy's intent, but the terms suggest a price discount should be available for any unannounced handset. Anyone can apply for the $50 discount provided they register their interest and purchase/activate a new mobile phone with the registered phone number and a two-year agreement on AT&T, Sprint or Verizon Wireless at any Best Buy or Best Buy Mobile store before December 31, 2014...

Shopkick expands iBeacon testing to 100 American Eagle locations

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Shopkick announced today that it is expanding its iBeacon trial to a number of American Eagle retail stores. The shopping app has been testing Apple's new geolocation tech in a handful of Macy's outlets since December of last year.

Once the pilot goes live next month, Shopkick's iBeacon tech will be available in 100 AE locations, making it the largest trial of the technology in the country. And it'll essentially turn your iPhone into a personal shopping assistant...

Apple opens official store on major Chinese e-commerce site Tmall

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

According to a new report this morning, Apple has opened an official store on popular Chinese e-commerce site Tmall. The move serves as the company's latest play in an ongoing effort to boost its device sales and overall presence in the country.

For those unfamiliar with Tmall, it's a major online marketplace run by the Alibaba Group. It's sort of like an online mall, with high profile brands like Nike and Levi's paying the required deposit to create a digital forefront and peddle their wares...

iBeacons arrive to 200 grocery stores, including Safeway and Giant Eagle

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 6, 2014

By all accounts, 2014 should be the year of iBeacons, a Bluetooth 4.0 powered indoor micro-location technology that Apple created and the industry readily embraced. I mean, the CES itself is running a promotional scavenger hunt utilizing iBeacons, how's that for an endorsement?

And chip maker and Apple supplier Qualcomm is rolling out its own inexpensive iBeacons platform called Gimbal, another vote of confidence to the cross-platform nature of Apple's technology.

And now, inMarket announced the roll-out of iBeacons to about two hundred grocery store locations, including Safeway and Giant Eagle locations in Seattle, San Francisco and Cleveland. What sets apart inMarket's implementation of iBeacons to others is the multi-retailer approach.

Although the system would only work with inMarket's own apps, the company plans to roll it out to brand partners and independent developers in the future, ensuring the consistent user experience across multiple retailers and coupon/reward apps...

Apple’s Lucky Bags promotion goes live in Japan

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 2, 2014

As announced a week ago, Apple today kicked off its Lucky Bags promotion in Japan. The 36,000 yen (approximately $345 USD) mystery bags filled with randomly picked Apple products and third-party accessories are being offered today only to customers in select Apple retail stores across the 128 million people country.

Also known as Fukubukuro, or Mystery Bags, Japan’s annual New Year’s Day tradition entices shopper with grab bags containing unknown contents. Although buyers can't tell what they’re actually getting until they look inside, these mystery bags contain a selection of products worth more than the value of the Lucky Bag.

Here's what fans in Japan are finding in their Lucky Bags from Apple...

Apple to kick off annual ‘Lucky Bag’ one-day sale in Japan on January 2

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

Apple has confirmed that its retail stores in Japan will be kicking off the holiday 'Lucky Bag' promotion next Thursday, January 2, 2014. The country's annual sales event is something of a local tradition and Apple has made sure to delight its loyal fans with mystery bags filled with randomly picked products.

These bags are discounted so the customer typically ends up paying less than the total combined value of the included goods. The trick is that shoppers can't really tell what's inside a bag until they have bought it...

Samsung hires senior Apple Store designer in ongoing retail push

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Samsung has picked up an ex-Apple store designer as part of an ongoing retail push, according to a new report. The Korean tech giant has reportedly picked up former senior Apple store designer Tim Gudgel as it mulls over a deeper investment in US retail.

Gudgel has worked at Apple since 2008, and is mentioned as one of the inventors in a patent application of the glass design of the Upper West Side Apple Store in New York City. He is said to specialize in in-store design and overall retail store planning...