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.
Nice
05/28, 12:03pm reply
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.
starwarrior
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2006
Not so nice
05/28, 01:39pm reply
Unless you like laptops, lots of laptops. My nearest store has been renovated and they have one Mac Pro to be found in the entire store, in the back along the wall. WTF.
snapjack
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Joined: Jan 2002
Typical Apple
05/28, 01:57pm reply
So funny. I actually think this is a strong stand for Apple to take considering everyone under the sun is stepping in line with the "in this economic climate" mantra.
It's as much about improving in-store experience as it is about reinforcing Apple's brand.
PowerMax.com
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Joined: Oct 2008
which is it?
05/28, 02:14pm reply
Are they remodeling the stores, or just the storefronts?
testudo
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Joined: Aug 2001
one to one
05/28, 02:15pm reply
And now, apparently, Apple only cares about one-to-one service for those who get their computers directly from Apple.
testudo
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Joined: Aug 2001
Two sides to one to one
05/28, 02:48pm reply
One to one is a good idea if you want people who are new Apple products to be able to get up to speed so it does make the Apple brand stronger. But, they are currently charging $99 for 52 reserved sessions (at least that is the way I read it) which is a whopping price of $1.90 per 50 minutes. They are not going to cover costs through the fee so they are going to offset the cost by taking all of the profit for the product being sold. Maybe they assume that most newbies will not be buying online and will be going to the stores to ask a lot of questions anyway. The genius bar is still available to everyone, providing a partial alternative to one to one. One to one is a supplemental service and Apple is in the business of making money.
brainiac
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Joined: Sep 2003
Yessss baby!
05/29, 11:07am reply
This is great! Dell dying in a down economy and Apple has unexploited cash reserves just to play around with. Go Apple!
I'll bet this can all be blamed on "Global Warming".
manleycreative
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Joined: Sep 2005