New 'lounge' concept coming to future Apple Store
A new Apple Store in St. Louis, Mo., could include a new feature previously unseen at the company's retail locations: a "lounge" area with free Wi-Fi.
According to Gary Allen at ifo Apple Store, Apple's forthcoming store at St. Louis Galleria will be the largest mall-based store from the company in the U.S. when it's completed. One new addition that sources said will be in front of the location is a permanent kiosk that will be used as a lounge area, and offer customers the ability to check in to Genius Bar appointments.
"According to mall observers, Starbucks is soon moving its coffee sales operation to the second floor, outside the entrance to the Nordstrom store that opens in September 2011," Allen wrote. "Apple will then reportedly occupy the 592 square-feet permanent kiosk as a Genius Bar check-in space, Wi-Fi lounge and/or training space."
The "Genius Lounge" concept would be unique to the St. Louis store, a first of its kind for Apple's highly successful retail outlets. The new store will occupy over 6,000 square feet, and will have a storefront 55 feet wide.
The new location will also have the stainless steel and stone floor design that have become a trademark of Apple stores. It will replace an existing "mini" store located in the St. Louis Galleria.
Allen noted that Microsoft's own retail store in Mission Viejo, Calif., has a similar "lounge" in front of it, featuring bench seats, planter boxes and a double-sided video screen. The space is occasionally used for customer training or meet-ups.
According to Gary Allen at ifo Apple Store, Apple's forthcoming store at St. Louis Galleria will be the largest mall-based store from the company in the U.S. when it's completed. One new addition that sources said will be in front of the location is a permanent kiosk that will be used as a lounge area, and offer customers the ability to check in to Genius Bar appointments.
"According to mall observers, Starbucks is soon moving its coffee sales operation to the second floor, outside the entrance to the Nordstrom store that opens in September 2011," Allen wrote. "Apple will then reportedly occupy the 592 square-feet permanent kiosk as a Genius Bar check-in space, Wi-Fi lounge and/or training space."
The "Genius Lounge" concept would be unique to the St. Louis store, a first of its kind for Apple's highly successful retail outlets. The new store will occupy over 6,000 square feet, and will have a storefront 55 feet wide.
The new location will also have the stainless steel and stone floor design that have become a trademark of Apple stores. It will replace an existing "mini" store located in the St. Louis Galleria.
Allen noted that Microsoft's own retail store in Mission Viejo, Calif., has a similar "lounge" in front of it, featuring bench seats, planter boxes and a double-sided video screen. The space is occasionally used for customer training or meet-ups.
Comments
Seriously people, Read The F$%^# Manual.
So... I guess Apple copied Microsoft with the lounge thing on their stores..
How about a Carribou or something...
So... I guess Apple copied Microsoft with the lounge thing on their stores..
Nobody goes to Microsoft stores; I’m sure it’s a coincidence.
My, my.. How the tables have turned huh?
Somewhere comfortable to sit for all these people waiting to talk to the Genius Bar.
Seriously people, Read The F$%^# Manual.
It makes sense to have a comfortable place for customers to wait and hang out. The longer people stay, the more likely they are to buy something.
As for the RTFM thing, I agree.
BUT there is SO much stuff and SO many powerful and efficient tools and features that are completely hidden from "typical users" (not us here, of course ;-) ) in Mac OS X and iOS, that I doubt few will, if ever, find them on their own.
It's a real shame, but what's the the alternative? Bombard users with a zillion features and methods they may never use? Or just let them stumble along?
So... I guess Apple copied Microsoft with the lounge thing on their stores..
Apple is sliding downhill. Short AAPL! What's next? Microsoft Exchange support in iOS? A Windows version of iTunes? OMG, too late. Apple is DOOMED!
Apple is sliding downhill. Short AAPL! What's next? Microsoft Exchange support in iOS? A Windows version of iTunes? OMG, too late. Apple is DOOMED!
Microsoft Exchange support in iOS...has actually been there for a looong time and it's a marketed feature much requested by companies.
PS: Before it gets stated, I?m well aware that Apple makes more money per square foot than any other retail store and they can afford the rent with umpteen-kazillion dollars in cash, but that isn?t how proper business manage themselves. They get the most they can from a deal and this is how I?d be dealing with these leases knowing the leverage I?d have.
Microsoft Exchange support in iOS...has actually been there for a looong time and it's a marketed feature much requested by companies.
It's a joke man, relax
Forget about a lounge and free wifi, though both would be nice. What's really needed, and what is apparently coming, is more space. A couple of weeks ago I was in the St. Louis Galleria store in mid-afternoon and it was a madhouse. Not a pleasant shopping experience at all.
That will come, but I guarantee that the growth of Apple will outstrip any sq footage retail growth.
The problem I have with Apple retail is the service itself. It seems like over the last or so the staff have gotten less friendly and more smarmy.
I wouldn?t be surprised if Apple had this space included without an increase in their lease. After all, they are acting like an anchor store bringing in droves of customers despite their relatively small space usage. And the malls can charge a lot more for stores that want to be placed near the Apple Stores and fastest parking access to the Apple Stores because the off the foot traffic they generate.
PS: Before it gets stated, I?m well aware that Apple makes more money per square foot than any other retail store and they can afford the rent with umpteen-kazillion dollars in cash, but that isn?t how proper business manage themselves. They get the most they can from a deal and this is how I?d be dealing with these leases knowing the leverage I?d have.
I bought my last Mac from the existing store, it is about 150 feet from this new location. That's a high rent mall, and a much bigger (3 or 4 times) space. Apple paid some serious $$ for this space.
The lounge area is at the edge of a balcony overlooking the first floor fountain. It's big enough to hold 10-15 people (with the current Starbucks shop in place) and has some tables and a few benches.
Can't wait to see what this looks like!
It makes sense to have a comfortable place for customers to wait and hang out. The longer people stay, the more likely they are to buy something.
As for the RTFM thing, I agree.
BUT there is SO much stuff and SO many powerful and efficient tools and features that are completely hidden from "typical users" (not us here, of course ;-) ) in Mac OS X and iOS, that I doubt few will, if ever, find them on their own.
It's a real shame, but what's the the alternative? Bombard users with a zillion features and methods they may never use? Or just let them stumble along?
I've overheard some of the questions they are fielding, they are simple questions that can be answered using the help menu.
More annoying is the things I hear customer's complaining to each other about, they whine about paying a lot for a computer that is supposed to be easy to use, but none of them take ANY time to try to learn first, they get pissy with the Mac Genius saying that the computer just doesn't work. And usually they don't apologize for being pissy because they couldn't be bothered to make an attempt to learn anything.
A new Apple Store in St. Louis, Mo., could include a new feature previously unseen at the company's retail locations: a "lounge" area with free Wi-Fi.
This situation virtually already exists at Willow Bend Mall in Plano, TX. The Apple store is adjacent to a Starbucks kiosk with a large area with tables that have separators and can seat several people. This area is always full of people with laptops. I know the Apple Store WiFi is available there. I don't know if the Starbucks has a WiFi or not. I always connect to the Apple Store. I don't know how many other similar arrangements exist for other Apple Store locations.
Microsoft Exchange support in iOS...has actually been there for a looong time and it's a marketed feature much requested by companies.
Yeah so much for a certain banned forum member saying Apple can't partner with other companies because Steve Jobs has "delusions of Godhood"
So... I guess Apple copied Microsoft with the lounge thing on their stores..
No, its part of a conspiracy by Verizon to get the iPhone. They are dissaminating bad idea to destroy apple.
I wouldn?t be surprised if Apple had this space included without an increase in their lease. After all, they are acting like an anchor store bringing in droves of customers despite their relatively small space usage. And the malls can charge a lot more for stores that want to be placed near the Apple Stores and fastest parking access to the Apple Stores because the off the foot traffic they generate.
PS: Before it gets stated, I?m well aware that Apple makes more money per square foot than any other retail store and they can afford the rent with umpteen-kazillion dollars in cash, but that isn?t how proper business manage themselves. They get the most they can from a deal and this is how I?d be dealing with these leases knowing the leverage I?d have.
yes..their return on the sales per square foot in tremendous....
I am so there if they start serving refreshments too!
yes..their return on the sales per square foot in tremendous....
I am so there if they start serving refreshments too!
Little Apple logo shaped cookies with white frosting on them, and very small but very good espresso at prices that make Starbucks look inexpensive?