“[Regarding] the mini-stores that Apple introduced in Oct. 2004, no future stores are in the pipeline, apparently due to dissatisfaction among Apple executives with the design and materials. The stores’ stainless steel siding is expensive to manufacture and import from Japan. The epoxy flooring, which replaced the original carpeting just before the stores debuted, has suffered through two rounds of structural problems, expensive repairs and replacements. The custom-built point-of-sale terminals, intended to allow customers to process their own credit card purchases, have never operated as designed,” AppleInsider reports.
“Even the lighting at the mini-stores is an issue: the one-piece, back-lit ceiling is tough on the eyes, especially for employees who spend eight hours beneath the glow. And no matter where customers stroll in the store, they find themselves zapped in the eyes by the wall-mounted, point-of-sale laser barcode scanners,” AppleInsider reports. “At the same time, the stores are only marginally less expensive to operate than a 3,000 s.f. retail store. At least two of the five existing mini-stores occupy full-size mall spaces, but use the excess space for storage and not sales floor space. The stores are not located in bargain basement locations either, but rather in Apple’s typical high-end malls. Both factors mean that the savings from operating a mini-store is only marginal. So when mini-stores begin opening once again, expect to see some design changes, and perhaps even retro-fits for the existing stores.”
Full article here.
Ho-hum…
So what is the fundamental difference that makes Apple retails stores so profitable while everyone else who tries either dies or is relegated to islands?
Mall choice? Brand recognition? Genius bar? Store design? Price points (this one’s a stretch)? Platform? This last one is my favorite. Someone shopping PC is essentially shopping a commodity. Why drive all the way and walk all the way into a mall when you can pick one up a 1000 other places along the way, whats the motivator to go the extra mile?
Mac, however, is not commoditized and people looking to try, by definition, don’t already know what its like. And for us there aren’t even a dozen places to buy one on the way. Its worth the extra time just for the instant gratification. Then add on the experience. Its hard to imagine cityscapes like NY flush with Apple retail, but it seems to be happening. I just hope Apple doesn’t let it go to its head (as they seem to be doing).
The one thorn is that the best feature of Apple Stores is the availability of the latest and greatest, an availability that has been coming at the expense of mom and pop Mac shops everywhere.
Uh, my local Mac store isn’t located in a mall, but rather a downtown shopping cluster just 4 walking blocks from my house.
I don’t even have a local Apple store
Sorry ddd-
I live near 2 Apple Stores.
Never seen a mini store yet but am going to check out the Nagoya Sakae Store today!
I just had the iPods halo effect demonstrated before my eyes yesterday. Went to have dinner with some relatives, hooked up the iPod through their FM stereo for music, had them all wowwing over the iPod and then asking about Apple computers. So I pulled out my powerbook and showed them a slide show, told them briefly about ease of use and lack of viruses etc. I dunno if they will end up buying but you can be sure they will be looking hard at Apple next time they make a purchase. They had just never thought there was an alternative anymore. Things kinda suck but that is the way things are so Shoganai (Japanese for “it can’t be helped”). I think the experience really opened up their eyes.
I KNOW THIS IS OFF TOPIC BUT… EVERY TIME I LOAD A PAGE HERE I GET POP UP ADS! I’M SICK OF IT. MAKE IT STOP.
To make it stop (using Safari) install PithHelmet
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/18158
Thanks,
PithHelmet really is something
Wow this is late.Appleinsider already reported this.
STOP!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!!
It is now coming up EVERYTIME!!!!
Not just once per day (as if that’s much better).
STOP!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!!
STOP!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!!
STOP!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!!
STOP!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!!
STOP!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!!
Maybe we should constantly post crap that must be deleted so MDN must delete items every time THEY are logged on.
STOP!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!!
STOP!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!!
STOP!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!!
STOP!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!!
STOP!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!!
PithHelmet PithHelmet PithHelmet PithHelmet PithHelmet
will will will will will
STOP!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!!
the the the the the the
POP-UPS/UNDERS
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/18158
I live about 100 miles from the nearest Apple Store, and that’s just a perfect distance. It’s close enough to drive in case I really want to buy something, but not close enough to spend $100’s a week. I’d need therapy if an Apple Store were only 4 blocks away.
I’ve been using Netscape since the 90’s and havn’t seen a pop up since. What have I missed ? Fill me in on all the goss….
Get you some Firefox and no pop-ups to be found, install the adblock extension and watch the banneer adds and other web clutter disappear. Now see how fast thos pages load…