Apple Store (retail)

Apple Retail Stores are operated by Apple Inc. The stores feature the Apple product line; "solution zones" for movies, photos, music and kids; accessories, and a "Genius Bar" at which Apple product owners can discuss technical issues or bring their computers in for service.
==History==
The Apple Store concept was developed by Ron Johnson who had joined Apple Computer in 2001 after leaving Target, where he was previously the Vice President of Merchandising.Ron Johnson, Apple Inc. Archived 2011-07-04. Johnson worked closely with Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who had a hands-on role in the design.Steve Jobs took weekly hands-on role in first Apple store design, says former retail head Ron Johnson by Roger Fingas, AppleInsider. 2018-12-05. The first Apple retail store was opened on May 19, 2001 at Tysons Corner Center in . Flagship stores were opened in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco. Apple was awarded numerous architectural awards for its store design, particularly its SoHo location. By February 2003, Apple opened 76 retail stores in the United States. In 2004, Apple began opening "mini stores" under 2000 square feet as retail space became difficult to find at the rapid rate of Apple's expansion.Wave goodbye to the last of Apple’s mini-stores by Luke Dormehl, Cult of Mac. 2015-02-13. By 2011, over 200 stores had been opened.
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Openings of new stores have turned into social happenings among avid Mac and iPhone users. The events often attract thousands of customers, waiting in line to get in first. Apple co-founder Steve Jobs was known to personally visit the Palo Alto store near his home.Steve Jobs appears at Palo Alto Apple store for iPad launch by Katie Marsal, AppleInsider. 2010-04-05.
===International expansion===
The first interational store was opened in the Ginza district of Tokyo, Japan on November 30, 2003. The first store in Europe opened in London, UK on Regent Street at 10am on November 20, 2004. Stores across Asia, particularly China, have become substantial revenue generators for Apple. By February 2015, Apple had phased out all of its smaller stores as more desirable locations became available.Last Mini-Store Moves to Full-Size Space by Gary Allen, ifo Apple Store. 2015-02-14. Archived 2015-02-19. By 2018, 84 stores had relocated and only 2 locations were closed without a direct replacement.Apple’s former retail stores: Where are they now? by Michael Steeber, 9to5Mac. 2018-04-04. By 2020, Apple had 510 store locations.Apple Stores, MacRumors. 2020-05-12.
On February 25, 2021, Target announced that it would begin opening Apple store-within-a-store experiences at 17 of their locations, with more coming in the fall.Apple Shopping Experience at Target, Target. 2021-02-25.
===COVID-19 pandemic===
:See also: 2020-2021 closures and reopenings
In February 2020, Apple closed their retail stores in China in response to the caused by the COVID-19 virus.All 42 Apple Stores in China have reopened by Sam Byford, The Verge. 2020-03-13. Apple soon closed all of their store locations worldwide.Apple’s COVID-19 response, Apple Inc. 2020-03-13.Temporary Retail Store Closures, Apple Inc. 2020-03-18.
All 42 retail stores in China were reopened on March 13, 2020 as the outbreak in China was stated to be under control. This was followed by the reopening of Apple's store in Seoul, South Korea on April 18, with limited hours and an emphasis on repair appointments.Apple Store to reopen in South Korea with an emphasis on fixing Macs and iPhones by Kif Leswing, CNBC. 2020-04-16. Stores in Australia reopened on May 7, with requirements of face masks, social distancing, and temperature checks of customers.Apple Stores reopen in Australia by William Gallagher, AppleInsider. 2020-05-07. Other stores around the world, including the United States,COVID-19: Which Apple Stores have reopened? by Michael Steeber, 9to5Mac. 2020-05-10. began reopening on a rolling basis in May, based on local conditions and guidelines.Apple to Reopen First Store in South Korea on April 18 by Juli Clover, AppleInsider. 2020-04-16. By the end of the month, half of all Apple Stores worldwide had reopened.More than half of all Apple Stores worldwide have reopened by Michael Steeber, 9to5Mac. 2020-05-28. However, future product launch dates may be affected due to disruptions in Apple's manufacturing .Apple might delay 'iPhone 12' launch by months due to COVID-19, report says by Mike Peterson, AppleInsider. 2020-03-25.
On the early morning of April 17 in California, Apple's retail store closure page due to the COVID-19 pandemic was briefly redirected to the pre-order page of the newly announced 2nd generation iPhone SE.You're...early., Apple Inc. 2020-04-16 4:47 PDT. However, this was quickly reverted after the pre-orders became active.Temporary Retail Store Closures, Apple Inc. 2020-04-16 5:07 PDT.
===George Floyd protests===
On May 30, 2020, stores in the United States were looted in the wake of over the .Apple Stores in Minneapolis and Portland were hit by Rioters Overnight by Jack Purcher, Patently Apple. 2020-05-03. Damaged stores were closed for repairs, and high-risk locations were pre-emptively boarded up.Apple Stores smashed and looted amid George Floyd protests by Malcolm Owen, AppleInsider. 2020-06-01. Some boarded-up stores were decorated with murals and became gathering places for marches.George Floyd mural on boarded up Apple store by Sergio Olmos, Twitter. 2020-06-01.Boarded up Apple Stores become unofficial canvases for peaceful protest by Michael Steeber, AppleInsider. 2020-06-03.
==Gallery==
Apple Carrousel du Louvre, Paris, France.jpg|Carrousel du Louvre, Paris, France
Apple Store grand opening Shanghai, China.jpg|Grand opening in Shanghai, China
Apple Store night Shanghai, China.jpg|Shanghai, China at night
Apple Store night 5th Ave NYC.jpg|5th Avenue in New York City, USA at night (before retrofit)
Apple Store daytime 5th Ave NYC retrofitted.png|5th Avenue in New York City, USA (after retrofit)
==References==
==See also==
*List of Apple Stores
==External links==
*Retail at Apple
*ifo Apple Store archived news by Gary Allen about store openings
**Apple Store Chronology (2001-2016) NOTE: numbering discrepacy past #65 from not counting the move of Legacy Village to Eton.
*The Apple Store Glossary by Michael Steeber
*Apple Storefronts by Thomas Park at AppSpot
*Apple Store at Logopedia
* at Wikipedia
Category:Apple Store (retail)
Category:2001 establishments