Hard to define...but it's usually those stores in upscale malls I don't walk into.
The type of stores where sales associates look you up and down assessing your financial status, and where items have no price tags because if you have to ask, you can't afford it.
I usually equate fashion people, (perhaps unfairly) as smug. I just hope Apple doesn't go there.
Recovering from having a discount guy run the place, I guess.
AFAICR Browett only had time to cut labor costs (read: "fire people and work the survivors like rented mules.") He never got around to installing pegboard displays and $3 shovelware bins.
It is not just the price but also the brand name. No big deal but I'm not sure how the third party manufacturers like Otterbox, Belkin, Incase, are going to feel about their brand being less than prominently displayed like it is now.
Very good point. I wonder if these manufacturers will now have to ship "display" models with the brand name presented on them somehow?
With shoes, it's right there on the heel cushion. Oh well, Apple's going to eliminate a bunch of them anyway, so they may have sections like a department store, where there will be a Belkin area, and so forth (like Calvin Klien, etc). So very classy! ;-)
Apple stores already exude a premium feel...but I think what they're after is a bit more warmth.
My take is that premium = wood = warmth.
Wood also conveys craftsmanship/artisans at work. Of course, done in a clean and minimalist manner.
I'm not sure I completely agree with Apple going even more upscale. It seems they want to be with the big players in the fashion industry. They may lose the masses if they appear too exclusive.
A big part of Apple's appeal is the "experience." Apple retail stores don't deliver the same quality experience that Apple products do. Noisy, crowded, with hard edges, hard floor, and few places to sit. The kids' area does have those cool spherical Baleri Italia ottomans, but kids apparently pee on them occasionally. (Search for the techcrunch story on kids peeing on Apple Store seats.)
Apple sells tons of gear at their brick-and-mortar stores, but they probably sell even more from their online store. So the physical stores could gradually migrate to more of a 'showroom' experience, with more emphasis on a high-quality presentation experience. Think Tesla showrooms. And eventually, when Apple rolls out their "real" television solution, there might be a high-end viewing room with projection TV and surround sound setup. Not to mention HomeKit devices controlling lights, temperature, ad nauseam.
Hard to define...but it's usually those stores in upscale malls I don't walk into.
The type of stores where sales associates look you up and down assessing your financial status, and where items have no price tags because if you have to ask, you can't afford it.
I usually equate fashion people, (perhaps unfairly) as smug. I just hope Apple doesn't go there.
While I love modern design, my concern is that the stores could end up feeling "unapproachable" like other high-end retail stores (Gucci, Prada, and the like). Especially if the staff ends up judging customers based on whether they feel they're "premium enough" to be in the store. I'd hate to see Apple stores end up feeling like a pretentious art gallery or similar.
Edit: Same sentiment as satchmo. Maybe it's a difference between Canadians & Americans. I do well for myself, but I don't care to try and impress others (or store staff) with the things I buy/wear. I felt Jobs had this attitude as well since he chose to wear blue jeans for the most part even though he could easily afford more expensive attire.
While I love modern design, my concern is that the stores could end up feeling "unapproachable" like other high-end retail stores (Gucci, Prada, and the like). Especially if the staff ends up judging customers based on whether they feel they're "premium enough" to be in the store. I'd hate to see Apple stores end up feeling like a pretentious art gallery or similar.
I don't know about your Apple store but most of the staff at my Apple store are all tatted up, beards, piercings, skinny jeans and colored hair. Can't get much classier than that.
A big part of Apple's appeal is the "experience." Apple retail stores don't deliver the same quality experience that Apple products do. Noisy, crowded, with hard edges, hard floor, and few places to sit. The kids' area does have those cool spherical Baleri Italia ottomans, but kids apparently pee on them occasionally. (Search for the techcrunch story on kids peeing on Apple Store seats.)
Apple sells tons of gear at their brick-and-mortar stores, but they probably sell even more from their online store. So the physical stores could gradually migrate to more of a 'showroom' experience, with more emphasis on a high-quality presentation experience. Think Tesla showrooms. And eventually, when Apple rolls out their "real" television solution, there might be a high-end viewing room with projection TV and surround sound setup. Not to mention HomeKit devices controlling lights, temperature, ad nauseam.
And this is where I don't want it to go. I haven't been to a Tesla showroom, but I suspect it's not unlike a Mercedes, BMW or Audi showroom. Perhaps they can do this in select flagship stores where they have space to create a separate 'home kit' room.
But, these environments are exactly the type I spoke about earlier...smug sales people who are very judgemental. Yes, it's very tranquil and ideal for some product demos, but it is overkill for your average Joe who wants to buy an iPad mini, a few cables and a case?
I don't know about your Apple store but most of the staff at my Apple store are all tatted up, beards, piercings, skinny jeans and colored hair. Can't get much classier than that.
I used to have shoulder-length, undercut hair too. Doesn't mean someone isn't intelligent or "classy" (whatever that means) just because they choose to present themself in a way that doesn't match everyone else. If they know Apple products well and can give me good advice, I could care less what they look like. Now smell, on the other hand...
While I love modern design, my concern is that the stores could end up feeling "unapproachable" like other high-end retail stores (Gucci, Prada, and the like). Especially if the staff ends up judging customers based on whether they feel they're "premium enough" to be in the store. I'd hate to see Apple stores end up feeling like a pretentious art gallery or similar.
Edit: Same sentiment as satchmo. Maybe it's a difference between Canadians & Americans. I do well for myself, but I don't care to try and impress others (or store staff) with the things I buy/wear. I felt Jobs had this attitude as well since he chose to wear blue jeans for the most part even though he could easily afford more expensive attire.
I think you're reading way too much into this. No where does this rumor suggest Apple is turning their stores into showrooms or art galleries or that the retail staff will look down at you if don't look a certain way. Why do people always jump to wild conclusions?
I think you're reading way too much into this. No where does this rumor suggest Apple is turning their stores into showrooms or art galleries or that the retail staff will look down at you if don't look a certain way. Why do people always jump to wild conclusions?
Probably because everyone's conclusion, opinion and speculation is as good as any rumour from an analyst or 'insider source'.
And this is where I don't want it to go. I haven't been to a Tesla showroom, but I suspect it's not unlike a Mercedes, BMW or Audi showroom. Perhaps they can do this in select flagship stores where they have space to create a separate 'home kit' room.
But, these environments are exactly the type I spoke about earlier...smug sales people who are very judgemental. Yes, it's very tranquil and ideal for some product demos, but it is overkill for your average Joe who wants to buy an iPad mini, a few cables and a case?
I went to the Tesla showroom on Santana Row last Friday. Zero sales pressure, helpful people.
(And no, I'm not in the market for a Tesla anyway. It was just near the restaurant I went to.)
As I said before, Apple spends a lot of time and energy and money and blood and sweat and tears on delivering a good experience to their customers. Maybe the "average Joe" would appreciate a refuge from the usual, terrible, Best Buy / Wal-Mart experience. I certainly would.
I think you're reading way too much into this. No where does this rumor suggest Apple is turning their stores into showrooms or art galleries or that the retail staff will look down at you if don't look a certain way. Why do people always jump to wild conclusions?
I guess because I have experienced this on many occasions. Where as soon as you walk into a store that has a high-end look and feel/products, either the sales staff seem to be trained to act a certain way (sales tactic to feed into some customers' need to feel important because of where they shop) or they'll use it as an excuse to try and feel more important than others (personal need of the sales staff).
But as long as Apple ensures their sales staff continues to be courteous and professional, then I'm fine with the overall experience change.
I wonder if this explains why the ?Watch didn't appear in stores until now ... they were waiting to make the stores more presentable for the watch!
Ooo look, our most ethical commenter has found a new duplicitous trick to suspect Apple of. Thank God he has the sinister imagination to bust the company, no matter what ruse they come up with to sell Watches. /s
Comments
So what constitutes being too exclusive?
Hard to define...but it's usually those stores in upscale malls I don't walk into.
The type of stores where sales associates look you up and down assessing your financial status, and where items have no price tags because if you have to ask, you can't afford it.
I usually equate fashion people, (perhaps unfairly) as smug. I just hope Apple doesn't go there.
Recovering from having a discount guy run the place, I guess.
AFAICR Browett only had time to cut labor costs (read: "fire people and work the survivors like rented mules.") He never got around to installing pegboard displays and $3 shovelware bins.
It is not just the price but also the brand name. No big deal but I'm not sure how the third party manufacturers like Otterbox, Belkin, Incase, are going to feel about their brand being less than prominently displayed like it is now.
Very good point. I wonder if these manufacturers will now have to ship "display" models with the brand name presented on them somehow?
With shoes, it's right there on the heel cushion. Oh well, Apple's going to eliminate a bunch of them anyway, so they may have sections like a department store, where there will be a Belkin area, and so forth (like Calvin Klien, etc). So very classy! ;-)
Apple stores already exude a premium feel...but I think what they're after is a bit more warmth.
My take is that premium = wood = warmth.
Wood also conveys craftsmanship/artisans at work. Of course, done in a clean and minimalist manner.
I'm not sure I completely agree with Apple going even more upscale. It seems they want to be with the big players in the fashion industry. They may lose the masses if they appear too exclusive.
A big part of Apple's appeal is the "experience." Apple retail stores don't deliver the same quality experience that Apple products do. Noisy, crowded, with hard edges, hard floor, and few places to sit. The kids' area does have those cool spherical Baleri Italia ottomans, but kids apparently pee on them occasionally. (Search for the techcrunch story on kids peeing on Apple Store seats.)
Apple sells tons of gear at their brick-and-mortar stores, but they probably sell even more from their online store. So the physical stores could gradually migrate to more of a 'showroom' experience, with more emphasis on a high-quality presentation experience. Think Tesla showrooms. And eventually, when Apple rolls out their "real" television solution, there might be a high-end viewing room with projection TV and surround sound setup. Not to mention HomeKit devices controlling lights, temperature, ad nauseam.
I'm not sure how you got there from this article.
While I love modern design, my concern is that the stores could end up feeling "unapproachable" like other high-end retail stores (Gucci, Prada, and the like). Especially if the staff ends up judging customers based on whether they feel they're "premium enough" to be in the store. I'd hate to see Apple stores end up feeling like a pretentious art gallery or similar.
Edit: Same sentiment as satchmo. Maybe it's a difference between Canadians & Americans. I do well for myself, but I don't care to try and impress others (or store staff) with the things I buy/wear. I felt Jobs had this attitude as well since he chose to wear blue jeans for the most part even though he could easily afford more expensive attire.
While I love modern design, my concern is that the stores could end up feeling "unapproachable" like other high-end retail stores (Gucci, Prada, and the like). Especially if the staff ends up judging customers based on whether they feel they're "premium enough" to be in the store. I'd hate to see Apple stores end up feeling like a pretentious art gallery or similar.
I don't know about your Apple store but most of the staff at my Apple store are all tatted up, beards, piercings, skinny jeans and colored hair. Can't get much classier than that.
I'm not sure how you got there from this article.
There was a picture posted of one of the VIP rooms. Looks nicely designed, but a bit unapproachable.
A big part of Apple's appeal is the "experience." Apple retail stores don't deliver the same quality experience that Apple products do. Noisy, crowded, with hard edges, hard floor, and few places to sit. The kids' area does have those cool spherical Baleri Italia ottomans, but kids apparently pee on them occasionally. (Search for the techcrunch story on kids peeing on Apple Store seats.)
Apple sells tons of gear at their brick-and-mortar stores, but they probably sell even more from their online store. So the physical stores could gradually migrate to more of a 'showroom' experience, with more emphasis on a high-quality presentation experience. Think Tesla showrooms. And eventually, when Apple rolls out their "real" television solution, there might be a high-end viewing room with projection TV and surround sound setup. Not to mention HomeKit devices controlling lights, temperature, ad nauseam.
And this is where I don't want it to go. I haven't been to a Tesla showroom, but I suspect it's not unlike a Mercedes, BMW or Audi showroom. Perhaps they can do this in select flagship stores where they have space to create a separate 'home kit' room.
But, these environments are exactly the type I spoke about earlier...smug sales people who are very judgemental. Yes, it's very tranquil and ideal for some product demos, but it is overkill for your average Joe who wants to buy an iPad mini, a few cables and a case?
I don't know about your Apple store but most of the staff at my Apple store are all tatted up, beards, piercings, skinny jeans and colored hair. Can't get much classier than that.
I used to have shoulder-length, undercut hair too. Doesn't mean someone isn't intelligent or "classy" (whatever that means) just because they choose to present themself in a way that doesn't match everyone else. If they know Apple products well and can give me good advice, I could care less what they look like. Now smell, on the other hand...
It's a VIP room. Something that won't be at every store. Most customers will never experience it.
I think you're reading way too much into this. No where does this rumor suggest Apple is turning their stores into showrooms or art galleries or that the retail staff will look down at you if don't look a certain way. Why do people always jump to wild conclusions?
I think you're reading way too much into this. No where does this rumor suggest Apple is turning their stores into showrooms or art galleries or that the retail staff will look down at you if don't look a certain way. Why do people always jump to wild conclusions?
Probably because everyone's conclusion, opinion and speculation is as good as any rumour from an analyst or 'insider source'.
It's all harmless, isn't it?
And this is where I don't want it to go. I haven't been to a Tesla showroom, but I suspect it's not unlike a Mercedes, BMW or Audi showroom. Perhaps they can do this in select flagship stores where they have space to create a separate 'home kit' room.
But, these environments are exactly the type I spoke about earlier...smug sales people who are very judgemental. Yes, it's very tranquil and ideal for some product demos, but it is overkill for your average Joe who wants to buy an iPad mini, a few cables and a case?
I went to the Tesla showroom on Santana Row last Friday. Zero sales pressure, helpful people.
(And no, I'm not in the market for a Tesla anyway. It was just near the restaurant I went to.)
As I said before, Apple spends a lot of time and energy and money and blood and sweat and tears on delivering a good experience to their customers. Maybe the "average Joe" would appreciate a refuge from the usual, terrible, Best Buy / Wal-Mart experience. I certainly would.
I think you're reading way too much into this. No where does this rumor suggest Apple is turning their stores into showrooms or art galleries or that the retail staff will look down at you if don't look a certain way. Why do people always jump to wild conclusions?
I guess because I have experienced this on many occasions. Where as soon as you walk into a store that has a high-end look and feel/products, either the sales staff seem to be trained to act a certain way (sales tactic to feed into some customers' need to feel important because of where they shop) or they'll use it as an excuse to try and feel more important than others (personal need of the sales staff).
But as long as Apple ensures their sales staff continues to be courteous and professional, then I'm fine with the overall experience change.
Ooo look, our most ethical commenter has found a new duplicitous trick to suspect Apple of. Thank God he has the sinister imagination to bust the company, no matter what ruse they come up with to sell Watches. /s
But...it wasn't "broke"...
Doesn't mean it can't be improved on.