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Apple's mini-stores not living up to expectations

updated 08:10 am EST, Fri February 18, 2005

Apple\'s mini-stores review


Gary Allen of the ifoAppleStore, a site that closely follows Apple's retail efforts, says that : "The stores seem to have been hastily rolled out, are expensive to build, have nearly-useless point-of-sale machines, and suffer from a sterile design. The stores were inspired by the Mini Cooper auto, Apple said. 'This design will help us carry our philosophy to even more people,' Steve Jobs said at the official unveiling at the Stanford Shopping Center (N. Calif.). The 'cool' and 'hip' design was intended to attract a younger and hipper visitor, the company said. But in reality, the stores don't live up to any of that."


by MacNN Staff

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  1. iolaire

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    Joined: Mar 2001

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    02/18, 09:32am | report spam | Reply |

    Bethesda Looks good

    The Bethesda mini-store looks good. From what I can see visiting it during the week there is a constant flow of affluent customers browsing. I'd guess on the weekend it would be even better.

  1. acknight

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    02/18, 09:40am | report spam | Reply |

    Syracuse

    The Syracuse store has tons of people in and out of it day in and day out. I agree with some of the sentiments in regards to the bright lighting, but the one here seems to be doing crazily brisk business...

  1. njfuzzy

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    02/18, 09:58am | report spam | Reply |

    News?

    It sounds like the only "news" here is that one guy who runs a website doesn't think the mini-stores are working out.

  1. MacnTX

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    Joined: Apr 2004

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    02/18, 10:19am | report spam | Reply |

    Re: News?

    Yeah, I kinda tend to agree with you. If they're doing a rather brisk volume of shoppers, it doesn't sound like they're disappointing really to me either.

  1. Glasspusher

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    02/18, 10:20am | report spam | Reply |

    Pleasanton CA

    I have been in the Pleasanton CA store in Stone Ridge mall several times and it's always been packed. Talked with one of the employees there and he said it's always like that.

  1. devospice

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    02/18, 10:50am | report spam | Reply |

    Rockaway, NJ

    The mini store at the Rockaway Mall was packed leading up to the holidays. My father in law said he coulnd't get near the store. I don't know how things have been since but I can't imagine it's a total flop.

  1. theduffsronme

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    02/18, 11:04am | report spam | Reply |

    Just his opinion

    After reading his articles, I have to conclude that the writer is simply a mac enthusiast with a website. He seems like a good guy, however, his amateur opinions are no more valid than anyone here. I fault MacNN for making the article sound more impressive than it is.

  1. tontondavid10

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    02/18, 11:14am | report spam | Reply |

    none of them in the UK

    and I think it's a real shame as in a lot of cases, what with british towns being generally smaller and more evenly spread out, I don't think there's much need for more than 4 or 5 flagship stores, then apple could build a few mini stores all around the country so i don't have to buy online to exercise my student discount and lose out by having to pay shipping expenses.

  1. brainiac

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    02/18, 11:15am | report spam | Reply |

    Not so fast...

    Remember the Gateway stores. They expanded too far and found that the cost was too high. They had to start abandoning stores. It gave a bad impression. This was noted when Apple first started opening stores. I am all for making Apple Stores accessible so people perceive them as accessible and feel that they can have confidence that Apple will be there when they are needed. I just worry about the perception when Apple is less in the spotlight and there may be a problem with store costs. Result: Store closes, closure is reported, the Apple is dying rumors start again, sales are impacted. They just need to be cautious.

  1. testudo

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    02/18, 12:23pm | report spam | Reply |

    Re: not so fast

    Result: Store closes, closure is reported, the Apple is dying rumors start again, sales are impacted. They just need to be cautious.

    Hold on, don't start throwing in your logical arguments and all. I miss the 'apple is dying' rumors. Its been waaayy too long with reading those week in and out.

    And the only question on these stores is "What expectations and whose expectations are they not living up to?"

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