Apple Retail Stores Revamp for Holidays

Associated Press via MyWay.com ^ | November 24, 2007 | May Wong

[RayChuang88]

LOS GATOS, Calif. (AP) - Not a cash register is in sight. The electronics on display are all powered up and ready for use. Personal trainers, specialists and newly minted concierges in aqua blue shirts make the Apple Store feel part salon, part Internet cafe - just without the espresso.

Over the past year, Apple Inc. (AAPL) has revamped its 201 stores, changing the layout, adding services and increasing its staffing. The "concierge" service that Apple launched last week is only the latest initiative designed to draw more visitors and bolster already record-breaking sales.

"Apple indeed does things differently from the rest of the retail gang," said Kurt Barnard, president of the Barnard Retail Consulting Group.

[RayChuang88]

The biggest change to the Apple Store is the fact there are no cash registers anywhere in the store--store employees carry special small handheld computers that does the payment directly from that scanner and you can either get your receipt emailed to you or have it printed out at the store. When I bought my current 3G iPod nano (8 GB) at the Apple Store in Sacramento, CA, they had already had that system in place for a number of months.

[escapefromboston]

Man, I hate the Apple store but they must be doing something right because everytime I go in there its packed (and I try to go in the middle of the day when normal people are working)

[lesser_satan]

ping

[goldstategop]

I've been to an Apple store. They restored my trashed Mac Mini at no charge.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Blue Highway]

The electronics on display are all powered up and ready for use. Personal trainers, specialists and newly minted concierges in aqua blue shirts make the Apple Store feel part salon, part Internet cafe - just without the espresso.

No thanks. This is one of the things that turns me off of Apple, their image and demographics. Might as well put a tip jar in there like $$$tarbucks$$$. Same annoying trendy crowd.

[BunnySlippers]

Apple stores are at the very high end of retailing for sales per square foot. They are a retailing success story.

Yes, the last two purchases I have made there were without a cash register. The receipt comes right to my laptop which I had there in the store at the time.

My store is remodeled but haven’t checked it out yet. Can’t wait!

[BunnySlippers]

They gave me new ear buds for my Nano for no charge even though they are $24.00 to replace.

[MediaMole]

Where do the clerks keep the change? ...or is cash no longer accepted? (They no longer accept cash for iPhones.)

[thefactor]

my girlfriend just HAS to have the iPhone. so we have to change from verizon to AT&T. big pain in the butt. but last night i used my friends iPhone.

now i want one just as much as my girl. it's the single most amazing thing i have ever used. i used FR just like i would on my full size computer. it looks just like the real page. it IS the real page!

so i'm sold. we're each going to get one. and the family plans are reasonably priced. and it includes unlimited net surfing.

not sure how this turned into an apple love-fest. sorry.

the apple stores i have gone into are pretty efficient. crowded though.

[BunnySlippers]

No thanks. This is one of the things that turns me off of Apple, their image and demographics. Might as well put a tip jar in there like $$$tarbucks$$$. Same annoying trendy crowd.

Well, I suppose ti depends. I have 5 Macs so I've been buying long before they had stores.

Also, I like Starbucks all the time although I buy a "coffee of the day" which is simply a cup of brewed coffee which most detractors are too stupid to order.

I like having a computer thart works seemlessly and easily without hassle. I'm sure you're doing well on Vista but most aren't. I've got great computers, terrific support and a good cup of brewed coffee.

[jimtorr]

I find my local Apple store annoying. The staff is very friendly and helpful, but I never know which counter to go to for help. I like going to the local CompUSA more. There is usually a very helpful Apple staff member there, as well.

[the invisib1e hand]

Man, I hate the Apple store but they must be doing something right because everytime I go in there its packed (and I try to go in the middle of the day when normal people are working)

It's not a business, it's a religion.

[tubebender]

And your against religion why...

[aruanan]

It's not a business, it's a religion.

It's funny, but the anti-Mac crowd is as predictable and unimaginative as Richard Dawkins.

[Blue Highway]

Dang it, I was planning on buying an iPhone with change even.

[the invisib1e hand]

anti-Mac

well, now. where from my comment do you discern that this characterization is accurate?

I'm a fan of great technology. I can sure do without the groupies and their smartass remarks, however.

[Poison Pill]

“Not a cash register is in sight”

What if you want to pay with cash?

[garyhope]

“It’s not a business, it’s a religion.”

Yes, and a smug, condescending one at that. That said, the products and stores are very well designed and I understand their popularity. Probably some of the best industrial design in the world right now.

I’ve even though of buying a Macbook for my next laptop so I can use 2 OS’s for different things.

[Blue Highway]

The only thing I would ever buy is their regular coffee, and even that is overpriced. The last year the only thing I get from Starbucks are their FREE used coffee grounds.

[Mark was here]

I was Freeping on my Treo long before the iphone came out.

[BunnySlippers]

So, what OS are you shackled with?

[Blue Highway]

I’ve been Freeping on my Moto Q through Sprint since May. Great for a FReep fix during the day.

[RayChuang88]

Actually, the demographics for Apple users have become a lot more wider, especially since the LCD panel iMacs came out early this decade. Every political demographic nowadays wants the iMac, which is really easy to set up and use even for connecting to broadband Internet. I wouldn’t be surprised that we see large businesses buy Mac models in hugh quantities soon because they’re so easy to set up.

[BunnySlippers]

You sound like a Liberal railing against Starbucks or corporations!

In the meantime I’m enjoying a wonderful computer. Don’t knock it til you try it.

[Blue Highway]

XP Pro, and Vista Home Premium. I wouldn’t say I’ve been shackled with either. I agree Vista is a more dumbed down user interface and they crippled the Disk Defragmenter. XP Pro is my favorite.

[basil]

They do have a hidden cash drawer to handle cash purchases. They also have a person to whom you tell why you are there. That person points out the "Mac Genius" who deals with that particular thing. Then you take a number and browse the store, waiting for your number to be called.

At least that's how the Mac store in Austin TX was functioning the last time I visited.

And--as others have pointed out--the stores seem to always be very crowded.

[tips up]

You can always buy on line if you like their product but not the store experience.

[Blue Highway]

You sound like a Liberal railing against Starbucks or corporations!

That's an oxymoron if I ever heard it. Starbucks is the epitome of a liberal utopian society. Why would a liberal rail against a liberal haven like that?

[the invisib1e hand]

You sound like a Liberal railing against Starbucks or corporations!

yeah, starbucks, there's another business acting like a religion. Hey, you can now buy a BMW espresso machine there. That'd go good with your mac. You'd be so to die for with that ensemble.

Now, please, let me clarify by repetition (for those of you in Rio Linda): I love coffee. I love cars. I make a living with computers. It's the groupies that...well, imagine, trying to talk sense to algorians about climate change.

[thefactor]

can't compare the two, imho. the iPhone is an iPod, phone, browser, camera. there is a full keyboard, but only when you need it.

the text message and voicemail features are amazing. you can zoom-in on web pages.

believe me. i didn't want to love it. but after 10 minutes on it, i'm sold.

[Blue Highway]

You can always buy on line if you like their product but not the store experience.

If I get an Apple it will definately be used.

[Blue Highway]

It's the groupies that...well, imagine, trying to talk sense to algorians about climate change.

And you just know the Al Gorians all use Macs. I wonder how many of them buy into it because it gives them that special feeling of pseudo intelligence and elitism.

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

Two or three weeks ago, my husband went to look at getting me a new computer so we could give mine to the kiddos. He came home very enthusiastic about the imac which was a total surprise — like he’d gone over to the “dark side.” Lol!

Anyway, so here I was a week ago, looking for something to do with the children. We headed to the local mall and wound up stumbling upon an Apple store. We decided to go inside and have a look.

The kids found the kids area right away, and they became immediately engaged in some Star Wars game. Very friendly store workers came over to me and instinctively seemed to know that I was a new to the mac world. Within minutes, the apple workers were scrolling through files which was the coolest display I’ve ever seen, and explaining to me how the imac will open a file seamlessly, without having to wait for the program to open.

Then yesterday, my dh, one of my children and I went back to the Apple store via our concierge card. The place was a madhouse! You would think from the looks of it they were giving things away for free.

Anyway, we are nearly sold on the imac, but we have some questions.

Would any of you mac users be willing to answer a few of our questions? Thanks in advance!

[coconutt2000]

Ping.

[the invisib1e hand]

well, you know, excel only did for business what the automobile did for transportation. but Apple did for...well, the iPod did for music what...the walkman did a few years ago.

with a legacy like that, you’re bound to be a little heady.

[the invisib1e hand]

Actually, the demographics for Apple users have become a lot more wider, especially since the LCD panel iMacs came out early this decade. Every political demographic nowadays wants the iMac, which is really easy to set up and use even for connecting to broadband Internet. I wouldn’t be surprised that we see large businesses buy Mac models in hugh quantities soon because they’re so easy to set up.

they'd still be a toy for groupies if there weren't 3 pc's in every home in the world.

[CORedneck]

I looked at the iPhone last Summer but decided it was too much $$$. One thing I would like to see it do is hook into the Internet through the 2G phone network and setup the WiFi as an access point where I can hook my iBook into. That would take the cake in my opinion for me to get it.

I have been on T-Mobile for Cell Phone for several years. I recently dropped the T-Mobile WiFi Hotspots recently since I never use it. My parents in Indiana finally got high speed Internet with WiFi, therefore, I can use their connection to get online. Saves the drive to Borders/Starbucks like in past years when I needed to get online. When I traveled to places like CA, I stayed in Hostels and the most YHA Hostels now offer WiFi and I have gone to many Univiersity campuses where I hook in through Ethernet.

I remembered taking a trip to Prince Edward Island back in 2003 and I go into downtown Charlottetown to one cafe, use a "neighbors" WiFi to get online. I traveled down to Nova Scotia and then took a boat over to Maine. I drove to Dartmouth at Hanover, NH and I used their Internet connections to upload about 200 MB of pictures.

I also did a recent trip to New Zealand beginning of this year. Not too many places had WiFi but there were many cyber cafes where you hook in through ethernet but had to pay a fee. I have Vonage S/W phone which I used to make calls to the USA and I show up as a local call and it was a local call to me.

[BunnySlippers]

I go to every Starbucks opening I can because I love to make fun of the anti-globalization, anti-corporate, anti-capitalist freaks that show up.

I buy from corporations, American businesses. Only wusses and Dims don’t like capitalism and corporations.

[tips up]

They sell used hardware for a decent discount. Stuff someone bought and decided they didn’t want. Apple restores it to new condition and sells it at a discount as they can’t sell it as “new”.

[SamAdams76]

Last time I bought an iPod at an Apple store, I was amazingly trendy. I walked to the store by rail trail and stopped at the Starbucks before going into the Apple Store. I bought an iPod and a $50 iTunes gift certificate and then I walked back up the rail trail to the Trader Joe's where I got a few bags of nuts and some kind of cheese which I can't pronounce (but it was good). Then I jumped in my car and went to the Whole foods where I got some Stonyfield yogurt and a cake made entirely of figs.

That said, I wish George Bush could get a third term and that we could invade Iran and Syria - since we are over there anyway. Oh yeah, and topple the House of Saud while we are at it.

[Blue Highway]

Funny story. How much of it was true? lol

[Blue Highway]

How much of a discount? How about a Mac mini for under $200?

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

Here are some of our questions...

1) Do you recommend staying with the Apple software that opens .pdfs or getting the Adobe .pdf software for macs?

2) I am a huge snagger of graphics off the Internet (for family newsletters, school projects, etc. Can I do this safely on the imac?

3) Are there any genealogy folks here who use macs? Does the free LDS Personal Ancestral File software work on an imac? How do you transfer data from the Windows version to one on a mac?

Thank you much :)

[Swordmaker]

Re: iMac questions

What questions do you have? I maintain the Mac Ping List on FR.

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

Please see #43. I figure I’d start with those.

And hey...thanks :)

[Blue Highway]

he just stated the questions the post before you replied. Ironic.

[Swordmaker]

Re: questions

#1: PDFs: the Mac uses Display PDF to draw all of the screens. Therefore PDF file format is natively supported on the Mac. Anything you can print can also be saved as a PDF file from the print menu. PDFs open in either Safari or in Preview and display perfectly.

#2: Graphics. Yes. You simply drag and drop any graphic you see on the Internet to your desk top or to another application. You can do the same with almost any file type.

#3: LDS Geneology software. I don’t know. However you could install Parallels and run it under Windows if it doesn’t. I will try to find out for you.

[Swordmaker]

You are welcome.

[Swordmaker]

Re: ironic.

No I’m just good.

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

What is Parallels?

And back to the .pdf software. Yes, the Apple helper-guy told us that the imac came with software which would open those files. My husband wanted to know if he could also edit documents as he now can with his Adobe suite. The Apple worker-guy didn’t seem to know.