Apple has been careful about the expansion of their retail stores, and limited to upscale urban areas.
The customers have to have the cash and the geography has to have the density.
Even with that, all Apple products can be bought online.
However, the Apple Store provides great service. I buy my Apple products online, but I take the kids to the Apple Store to get MacBooks, iPads and iPhones.
Typically, it’s an expensive trip.
Went to an Apple store the other day to inquire about getting a new battery in the Mac and was told they don’t have a service department... don’t do any service like that any more.
They had stores. They closed them because of the reputation of the Eastern District of Texas for speedy resolution of patent disputes. When the Supreme Court tightened the jurisdictional rules for patent cases, Apple wanted to make sure they could take full advantage of the opportunity.