Retail

Apple previews Beijing’s massive new store, the largest in Asia

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated July 12, 2017

Apple is set to launch a grandiose new store in Beijing this coming Saturday, as we told you earlier. Both Western and local press had a chance to attend a media preview today and boy does the upcoming retail outlet impress. It files as the company's sixth brick-and-mortar store in China and Apple's SVP of Retail John Browett was on hand, taking advantage of the opportunity to confirm that the iPhone maker is also working to open another store in Shenzhen, China, where its contract manufacturer operates plants where Apple products are being assembled...

New Apple Store opening in Beijing on Saturday

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Apple's retail web page was updated last week with an announcement of Beijing's third Apple Store, scheduled for grand opening this coming Saturday, October 20. Apple already operates Sanlitun and Xidan Joy City retail outlets in the Beijing region so the upcoming store poses a welcome addition as the company preps to launch the iPhone 5 in China and looks to expand its retail operation in the 1.33 billion people market...

Watch rapper MGK destroy PCs at a Microsoft store

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Adamant to lure folks to its retail stores, Microsoft loves to hire famous recording artist to perform for its customers. For example, Flo Rida, The Black Keys, Justin Bieber and Lenny Kravitz all played for Microsoft Stores in the past.

But something clearly went wrong with this one. Much to the bewilderment of store staffers, young rapper Machine Gun Kelly a.k.a. MGK (not to be confused with an American gangster during the Prohibition era) at one point jumped on the floor displays to do his act.

He bugged out terribly, destroying several notebook PCs in the process until staffers abruptly cut his mic. I guess MGK won't be performing for Microsoft in the foreseeable future...

Most iPhones not sold by Apple Stores

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

When it comes to sales of Apple products, the much-publicized Apple Stores are like a cruise ship captain: lots of glitz and glamour, but having little connection to the mostly-hidden work which keeps the boat steaming along. That's the view of new research finding Apple's retail partners sold more iPhones than Apple's physical stores...

Apple tapping retail employees to improve Maps?

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 3, 2012

Apple is allegedly crowd-sourcing its retail army to help improve iOS Maps, if a pair of reports out this morning are to be trusted. A pilot program, allegedly voluntary for employees, would have a team of ten employees at one store dedicate 40 hours of staff time per week toward manually examining melted bridges, street addresses that are off and other Maps inaccuracies related to their respective areas...

Forbes runs ‘Untold Stories About Steve Jobs’, here are your highlights

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 2, 2012

Hailed as the master of catch phrases, Apple's late mercurial co-founder and CEO Steve Jobs was and continues to be a remarkable source of memorable quotes. Forbes shares some previously unknown tidbits about Steve Jobs life, leadership style and provides insight into some of the moves that marked his life in a featured article titled "Untold Stories About Steve Jobs: Friends and Colleagues Share Their Memories". Here are a couple of highlights...

iPhone 5 personal pickup live after 10pm tonight

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Strong demand and five million sales (perhaps even more) during the opening weekend continue to put a strain on the initial iPhone 5 supply. If you're in the market for an iPhone 5 and are an avid Apple fan, there's a reasonable chance you'll want to waltz inside one of Cupertino's shiny retail shrines. After all, a new iPhone is a once-in-a-year event so why not treat yourself to that talked-about buying and ownership experience, right?

The problem is, the iPhone 5 is hard to come by at the moment, even as Apple is regularly stocking stores. Luckily, there's now a better way of buying the sought-after device involving a simple online pre-reservation for in-store pickup the following day...

AT&T announces new 10,000 square-foot flagship store in Chicago

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

This is actually pretty impressive: AT&T has just announced the upcoming opening of its new 10,000 square-foot flagship store on Chicago's famous Michigan Avenue. It's said to be a beacon for the carrier's "It's what you do with what we do" campaign.

The location will house over 100 digital screens, including multitouch App Tables, and an 18-foot high Connect Wall that will show interactive content and product info. It will also showcase AT&T's home automation and street services, and much more...

Apple’s secret Genius Training Workbook surfaces online

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

Want to know the secret behind Apple's highly-regarded retail experience? Then today's you're lucky day. The company's 'Genius Training Student Workbook' has just leaked onto the internet.

The contents of the book are quite fascinating, essentially telling Geniuses-in-training how to think and what to say in nearly every kind of customer situation, and how to "sell gadget joy."

Samsung denies new Sydney store copies Apple

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. However, Samsung wants no talk of its new Sydney, Australia store looking "Apple-esque." Particularly while the South Korean company is being sued for allegedly imitating Apple's iPhone and iPad.

Despite the store being located just a block from Apple, using the same Apple minimalism, the same Apple-like packaging and staffed with the same blue-shirted employees, the Cupertino, Calif.-based company "didn't even come into the equation when we were looking for a location," Samsung Australia's vice president of telecommunication, Tyler McGee, tells the Sydney Morning Herald. In the business, we call that a non-denial denial...

In wake of staffing mistake, Apple reveals some interesting retail stats

Cody Lee ∙ August 20, 2012

Apple has effectively broken the mold for retail chains with its successful line of Apple Stores. Located on expensive prime real estate, and designed inside and out to be completely unique, nothing about Apple's stores are average.

That includes performance as well. A report earlier this year found that Apple's retail stores made roughly 17 times more than the average retailer — including jewelry stores. And today we find out some more interesting stats...

Apple messed up: retail layoffs were a glitch, changes are being reversed

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

MacRumors caused quite a commotion earlier in the week with a worrying story about significant layoffs of Apple's retail staff in the United Kingdom, United States and Canada, just a few weeks before the next iPhone's arrival.

Responding to news, Apple's new retail boss John Browett has gone on the record, likening those changes to a glitch in the system, an unusual case of management miscommunication at Apple, if you will.

Changes are now being reversed and Browett reportedly instructed leadership teams to tell employees that "we messed up".

Wait, what?