Apple Store

Apple Store is a chain of retail stores owned and operated by Apple Inc. The stores sell various Apple products, including Mac personal computers, iPhone smartphones, iPad tablet computers, iPod portable media players, Apple Watch smartwatches, Apple TV digital media players, software, and selected third-party accessories.
The first Apple Stores were originally opened as two locations in May 2001 by then-CEO Steve Jobs, after years of attempting but failing store-within-a-store
 concepts. Seeing a need for improved retail presentation of the 
company's products, he began an effort in 1997 to revamp the retail 
program to get an improved relationship with consumers and hired Ron Johnson
 in 2000. Jobs relaunched Apple's online store in 1997 and opened the 
first two physical stores in 2001. The media initially speculated that 
Apple would fail, but its stores were highly successful, by passing the 
sales numbers of competing for nearby stores and within three years 
reached US$1 billion
 in annual sales, becoming the fastest retailer in history to do so. 
Over the years, Apple has expanded the number of retail locations and 
its geographical coverage, with 506 stores across 25 countries worldwide
 as of 2018. Strong product sales have placed Apple among the top-tier retail stores, with sales over $16 billion globally in 2011.
In May 2016, Angela Ahrendts, Apple's then-Senior Vice President of Retail, unveiled a significantly redesigned Apple Store in Union Square, San Francisco,
 featuring large glass doors for the entry, open spaces, and rebranded 
rooms. In addition to purchasing products, consumers can get advice and 
help from "Creative Pros" – individuals with specialized knowledge of 
creative arts; get product support in a tree-lined Genius Grove; and 
attend sessions, conferences, and community events, with Ahrendts 
commenting that the goal is to make Apple Stores into "town squares", a 
place where people naturally meet up and spend time. The new design will
 be applied to all Apple Stores worldwide, a process that has seen 
stores temporarily relocate or close.
Many Apple Stores are located inside shopping malls, but Apple has built several stand-alone flagship stores in high-profile locations. It has been granted design patents
 and received architectural awards for its stores' designs and 
construction, specifically for its use of glass staircases and cubes. 
The success of Apple Stores has had significant influence over other 
consumer electronics retailers, who have lost traffic, control and 
profits due to perceived higher quality of service and products at Apple
 Stores. Apple's notable brand loyalty
 among consumers causes long lines of hundreds of people at new Apple 
Store openings or product releases. Due to the popularity of the brand, 
Apple receives many job applications, many of which come from young 
workers. Apple Store employees receive above-average pay, are offered 
money toward education and health care, and receive product discounts; 
however, there are limited or no paths of career advancement. A May 2016
 report with an anonymous retail employee highlighted a hostile work environment
 with harassment from customers, intense internal criticism, and a lack 
of significant bonuses for securing major business contracts.
==Locations==
==See also==
*Best Buy - competitor
*Microsoft Store - former competitor
*iTunes Store
Category:Mall stores
Category:Electronic Stores
Category:Luxury brands
Category:Retailers
Category:Apple
Category:North America
Category:Europe
Category:Asia
Category:Companies
Category:Franchises
Category:Brands
Category:Companies founded in the United States
Category:South America
Category:Oceania