Raging COVID-19 epidemic and worsening outbreaks have forced Apple's leadership to temporarily close almost a hundred retail stores in the United States in the past week, including all stores in California. The timing of these temporary store closures couldn't have been worse as we are now in one of the busiest shopping weeks of the holiday season.
Retail
iPhone Upgrade Program temporarily unavailable in England due to COVID restrictions
Apple's retail stores in England are now closed as the country has entered a new national lockdown this morning. As a result of these new COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, Apple's iPhone Upgrade Program is temporarily unavailable until at least December 2.
Marketing materials for the new iPad Air hit retail stores ahead of launch
The new iPad Air is listed on Apple's website and in the press release as coming later this month, but Apple has yet to give us an exact launch date. According to a well-connected Bloomberg reporter, the launch could be imminent because marketing materials for the unreleased product are beginning to trickle down to retail stores.
The official online Apple store finally launches in India, a 1.35 billion people market
Following years of preparations and lots of back and forth between Apple and the Indian government, the Cupertino compay today expectedly launched its official online retail store in India, home to a population of almost 1.44 billion people.
Bloomberg: Apple’s first online store in India is opening next month
Apple is getting ready to finally open its first online-only retail store in India, a 1.35 billion people opportunity. In addition, it's already planning a second physical outlet in the country.
Free Apple TV+ documentary “Infinite Canvas” explores Apple’s AR collaboration with artists
Apple last fall began hosting art-based augmented reality experiences in its retail stores as part of its Today at Apple offering, with augmented reality art walks launching in several major cities in the United States. And now, there's a documentary about this interesting project.
Apple’s overhauled Sanlitun store in Beijing opens for customers
Apple Sanlitun opened as Apple's first brick-and-mortar store in China in July 2008 at Beijing’s Taikoo Li Sanlitun mall. Today, it was replaced by Apple's massive new flagship store.
8 domestic Apple stores shutting down again in Kansas, Maryland, Virginia and Wisconsin
After Apple last week re-closed nearly a dozen retail stores in the United States, local increases in coronavirus infections have now prompted the Cupertino company to shut down again eight of its retail locations in Kansas, Maryland, Virginia and Wisconsin.
Apple re-closing 11 additional US retail stores
Apple is reportedly re-closing nearly a dozen additional retail locations in the United States, bringing its total store re-closures in the country to 91.
Microsoft is permanently closing its physical stores worldwide
Microsoft is permanently closing all of its physical stores worldwide after it was forced to close all its retail locations globally back in May due to the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak.
Shopping from home? Check out Apple’s new online store hub
Apple wants to help people who would like to buy its products from home during the global coronavirus health crisis so the company today launched an online store hub that presents products, services and other relevant information in a new central location.
Germany’s 15 Apple Stores will begin reopening Monday
According to local reports, Apple will begin reopening all of the fifteen brick-and-mortar stores it operates in Germany, an 83 million people market, next Monday, May 11.