Apple to renovate 100 existing storefronts
updated 11:45 am EDT, Thu May 28, 2009
Apple Store renovations
Apple's retail plans for 2009 also include the remodeling of dozens of stores, a company executive says. "We know that a lot of people are cutting back, but we're doing the opposite," explains Apple's senior VP for retail, Ron Johnson. The company is known to have some $28.9 billion in reserves, which some investors say has gone unexploited; a small portion of this money should now be going towards upgrading 100 existing outlets, in addition to the previously-announced construction of 25 new stores worldwide.
Renovation plans include the installation of new tables, allowing twice as many Macs to be displayed, and larger Genius Bars, with 50 percent more space. The company is meanwhile revising its One to One training program, which as of June 2nd will limit new subscribers to those who have bought a Mac online or through an Apple Store. At present, the service is open to anyone who can pay the $99 fee.
The fee should remain under the new guidelines, but will allow for appointments as long as three hours. As many as three participants may be able to share a session, in which people are guided through tasks like system configuration, transferring files, or working on personal projects. All current One to One subscribers will be allowed to renew, regardless of their Mac ownership.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2006
Nice
However, I am a old fan boy with a lot of stock. They will not let me start up a Mom and Pop store in a faraway place. I so much wanted a post retirement thing to do with Apple. I suppose that being an owner of every Apple product ever made with hands on maintenance experience would be an embarrassment to the bright young men running the Apple now bureaucratic experience. Submitted with much love.