Apple to begin work on first retail store in France
Apple will soon be free to move into a high-profile space in Paris that's expected to become home to the company's first retail store in France.
Construction on the store may begin after December 13th, when the existing Résonances retailer at the Carrousel du Louvre underground shopping mall vacates its space and moves to another location in the mall.
A large poster has appeared on the front of the store to announce the retailer's move, and attendants at the shop reportedly confirm the Mac maker to be the new lessee.
The Carrousel is adjacent to the main entrance for the famous Louvre Museum, which hosts over 8 million visitors a year. It's also one of the few shopping venues in the country allowed to be open on Sundays.
The future Apple store will reportedly occupy 7,700 s.f. on two levels at the Carrousel, in spaces #15 and #33 beneath the iconic glass pyramid entrance.
Construction on the Apple store could be extensive, including a glass staircase to connect the two now-separate spaces.
The store, which could open by Fall 2009, would come two years after informal estimates by chief executive Steve Jobs. Several years ago, he told a shopper at the Apple Store Regent Street in London that Apple would open its first retail store in France "in 2007."
Gary Allen is the creator and author of ifo Apple Store, which provides close watch of Apple's retail initiative. When Gary isn't busy publishing news and information on Apple's latest retail stores, he finds himself hanging out at one.
Construction on the store may begin after December 13th, when the existing Résonances retailer at the Carrousel du Louvre underground shopping mall vacates its space and moves to another location in the mall.
A large poster has appeared on the front of the store to announce the retailer's move, and attendants at the shop reportedly confirm the Mac maker to be the new lessee.
The Carrousel is adjacent to the main entrance for the famous Louvre Museum, which hosts over 8 million visitors a year. It's also one of the few shopping venues in the country allowed to be open on Sundays.
The future Apple store will reportedly occupy 7,700 s.f. on two levels at the Carrousel, in spaces #15 and #33 beneath the iconic glass pyramid entrance.
Construction on the Apple store could be extensive, including a glass staircase to connect the two now-separate spaces.
The store, which could open by Fall 2009, would come two years after informal estimates by chief executive Steve Jobs. Several years ago, he told a shopper at the Apple Store Regent Street in London that Apple would open its first retail store in France "in 2007."
Gary Allen is the creator and author of ifo Apple Store, which provides close watch of Apple's retail initiative. When Gary isn't busy publishing news and information on Apple's latest retail stores, he finds himself hanging out at one.
Comments
Doesn't France hold some sort of MacWorld type show every year?
This should do wonders for the Louvre.
It could serve as its new Modern Art & Design Museum (and gift shop).
I'm frankly surprised there hasn't been one already.
Doesn't France hold some sort of MacWorld type show every year?
Its all about location and making a big splash.
Apple wants its first store in the country to be in the most high trafficked location possible and they are willing to wait for such a spot to open up.
Once they get the first store set up and get managers and employees trained, they can then start to expand out into the suburbs.
Check out this picture from the grand opening of the first store in Germany.
About 4000 people showed up!
http://www.panoramas.dk/2008/apple-store-munich.html
http://www.mediavr.com/applestore.htm
-which is one of the few things they excel at.
Count on the French to complain about it.
-which is one of the few things they excel at.
They need to get the Mac ads into French. Then maybe they can all find unity in complaining about Vista.
But I'm glad to see Apple pushing into Europe. I really think that Europeans are natural Mac users. In some ways, even more so than the anglos ( US, UK ).
It could serve as its new Modern Art & Design Museum (and gift shop).
I'm curious about the design synergy between the pyramid and the apple store. The pyramid had a love/hate thing with Parisians, but I have the feeling they have come to like it now.
Apple to begin work on first retail store in France
I've been to France and let me tell you: They have plenty of retail stores there! Does anyone think that one of the world's largest economies works on a barter system?
I guess the story clears up what the headline made wacky.
Will the French be too good for Apple or vice versa?
p.s.- I love you, Apple inc.
France likes America and American culture. It's just that we like also to have formality and to be mannered.
I am sure the Apple store will complement Paris and I am sure Apple's reputation in France will be enhanced by being in such a prestigious area.