Apple retail stores to close, re-open ahead of iPhone
Apple's over 170 national retail stores will follow a similar procedure to those of AT&T's on June 29, closing for approximately 90 minutes in late afternoon before reopening with the first iPhones for sale.
The plan was documented in an internal AT&T memo sent to store managers last week regarding organizational procedures for the Apple product launch. Store managers on both sides are preparing for unusually large levels of traffic and have been told to forewarn their landlords and acquire stanchions.
"In order to prepare for the launch we plan to close our stores 1 1/2 hours prior to launch time, at 4:30 PM," the memo said. "If the landlord questions your plan to close the store from 4:30 - 6:00 PM, explain that all AT&T and Apple stores nationwide intend to follow this plan."
Once reopened, AT&T stores will operate till 10:00 PM on the eve of June 29, the memo added. It's unclear whether Apple stores will follow a similar plan, or have separate sets of hours.
Similarly, it's uncertain how many consumers will actually turn out for the first-day sale, especially when it comes to plunking down at least $499 for the cheapest iPhone Apple plans to sell. AT&T chief executive Stan Sigman, however, is confident that all the hype is justified.
[iPhone] is the largest commercial product launch in the history of electronics," he said during a graduation speech at the West Texas A&M University last month.
That's just part of the reason AT&T stores, like Apple's, will also reportedly be adding a number of temps to their staff ahead of the frenzy. Many of the AT&T hires will remain at their stores throughout the summer.
The plan was documented in an internal AT&T memo sent to store managers last week regarding organizational procedures for the Apple product launch. Store managers on both sides are preparing for unusually large levels of traffic and have been told to forewarn their landlords and acquire stanchions.
"In order to prepare for the launch we plan to close our stores 1 1/2 hours prior to launch time, at 4:30 PM," the memo said. "If the landlord questions your plan to close the store from 4:30 - 6:00 PM, explain that all AT&T and Apple stores nationwide intend to follow this plan."
Once reopened, AT&T stores will operate till 10:00 PM on the eve of June 29, the memo added. It's unclear whether Apple stores will follow a similar plan, or have separate sets of hours.
Similarly, it's uncertain how many consumers will actually turn out for the first-day sale, especially when it comes to plunking down at least $499 for the cheapest iPhone Apple plans to sell. AT&T chief executive Stan Sigman, however, is confident that all the hype is justified.
[iPhone] is the largest commercial product launch in the history of electronics," he said during a graduation speech at the West Texas A&M University last month.
That's just part of the reason AT&T stores, like Apple's, will also reportedly be adding a number of temps to their staff ahead of the frenzy. Many of the AT&T hires will remain at their stores throughout the summer.
Comments
The fact that Apple or ATT stores might set up 'stanchions' -- some sort of strung-together upright poles -- to get people into a line is news!?
Wow.
The fact that Apple or ATT stores might set up 'stanchions' -- some sort of strung-together upright poles -- to get people into a line is news!?
At this point, if it has anything to do with the iPhone, AT&T, Apple, or flying pigs, it's news!
So it looks like observant Jews would be shut out of getting an iPhone on Day One, since the Sabbath starts on Fri evening..... what to do ????
Maybe they could file for an injunction to stop the sale of iPhones until a day with no religious ramifications...sadly, that might actually work.