MacDailyNews - Where Mac news comes first

I really don't think the are making "renovations" to the store. Just as the iTablet, they are just playing tricks with microsoft to make them goes nuts.. more.

I bet you Microsft is changing their plans to the store waiting to see what is apple doing with theirs..... Steve Jobs and everyone at apple mus be laughing in the floor.

Sep 23, 09 - 04:18 pm Comment from: BlackWolf

That makes me smile.

The Apple store in Burlington, MA has just re-opened after being closed for the last few weeks (had to drive elsewhere for Snow Leopard -- grrr). Not a lot has changed. The registers in the front are gone for more of a mobile-register format. The genius bar that had taken up a large chunk of one side is now in the back. The training center that was in the back is now split among *several* training centers and are in the center of the store. Minor other changes have been implemented (e.g. shelving) but it is definitely not a drastic change. It is a much cleaner layout with the register desk no longer "blocking" the front entry area.

It appears the centrally-located training centers -- which can handle many more people -- are the new focal point: genius bar is for fixing broken things (Hide the broken stuff Ma! ) whereas training is where it is happening. On my last visit, the training centers were packed with people learning all different things.

Sep 23, 09 - 04:36 pm Comment from: Sir Gill Bates

If it was up to me they would have a couple of elevated cages in front with hot, scantily clad go-go dancers. Throw in a few disco balls, black lights and strobes and cover the walls with neat fluorescent posters. Groovy!

@Sir Bill Gates,

Add a couple of porkers and you'd have Nirvana.

Closed for the installation of Howitzers...

Sep 23, 09 - 04:51 pm Comment from: Spudly

It's going to be fun to watch these barren Microsoft stores fail as soon as they open. I seem to remember them trying to do this when the Metreon first opened in SF. No one cared. No one came. Store closed. That was 8± years ago. Hope they burn alot of cash trying though!

Sep 23, 09 - 04:55 pm Comment from: The Other Steve

"Microsoft intends to open its first two brick-and-mortar stores this fall"

I wouldn't use brick, not good during a California earthquake.

It's obvious that MAC can't handle the competition and is getting out while they can. When the Microsoft store is filled up with all those happy people buying Zunes and Windows 7, MAC doesn't want people to see the empty store so they're closing up shop. Of course, they don't want to say that, so they're just "closing for renovations."

Sorry, MAC. Kiddie Swim Time is over. The Grown-Ups are back to take over your little pool.

Your Potential. Our Passion.™

(No, this isn't the real Zune Tang. But it pretty much writes itself...)

I wonder how many tales we'll hear from "Guru bar" visitors who failed to get help with their misbehaving Microsoft software. (They'll probably try placating the more disgruntled folks by giving away old discontinued Zunes - heck, they must have millions just sitting around, waiting to be given away.)

@ Fake Zune Tang - LOL... I gotta admit, that does indeed sound very close to what the real ZT would post.

They are slowly upgrading all of the stores with old floorplans (genius bar on the side, as one person mentioned) to having all the training in the back and removing their register space. I'm sure MV had this planned for several quarters. They may have moved upthe date, but it was probably planned for months before MS announced the stores.

Troy,
I second that! LOL

The real fallacy with respect to these stores is that they're transparently propaganda outlets to prop up the tarnished Microsoft brand, as opposed to stores intended to actually sell merchandise. I mean, what exactly is there to be excited about among the prospective offerings -- Xbox 360, Zune, Windows 7 and Office? Yawn. But, hey, the proof will be in the public response. With its deep pockets, Microsoft can afford to operate them at a loss for a while, but not forever. I give them about three years before we start to see closings.

Sep 23, 09 - 05:21 pm Comment from: Jim - TIV

I reported this to MDN about a week ago. A friend of mine works there. They also are doubling the size of the store by taking over the space previously occupied by the Nike store next door.

The reason they are doing it is because this store is the busiest Apple store on the west coast. You can't get it for Genius service in under two days, most of the time three. The one on one is always booked, and it's really hard to find a apple rep to even help you purchase your gear.

They are also doubling the staff of the whole store, and doubling the genius bar space.

Sep 23, 09 - 05:44 pm Comment from: jjjj

I'm going to Gateway Country!

No, wait, I'm going to visit that Dell Kiosk down by the food court and order up a machine.

I visit the mall in Century City often. The AMC theatre and restaurants are busy, but most every boutique store is <crickets> save one: Apple. I've decided to most of these stores, being in the mall is just a necessary element of 'branding.'

Its wise of Microsoft to open locations to accept returns of the 50%+ failure rate XBOX. Red Ring of Death, anyone?

Sep 23, 09 - 05:55 pm Comment from: chabig

Apple has been updating all of the older stores. This has nothing to do with Microsoft.

Microsoft needs to be reminded that for them it's not about the store itself... it about have product!

Microsoft doesn't have product so all the stores in the world will not change that!

On the other hand, Apple is all about the presentation of good product and the ease of buying such product!

The folks are once again way over their heads and no amount of coping the leader is going to change the fact that their sell crap!

MS just wishes Apple was scrambling to react to them. It's kind of like their recent zune launch where they sent like 6 zunes to stores so they could claim SOLD OUT to manipulate public opinion. That seems to be their main concern. I launch a zune every morning when I go to the bathroom so these new stores of theirs will probably be a similar experience. A showcase for that cheap crap that Lauren was so giddy about.

The Apple Store here in Albany, NY has been closed for the same reason- even before the last iPod event.

Is there anything more pathetic that Micro$hit?

Perhaps all the stupid asses that buy their stinkin crap...

The Microsoft store, right between Dunkin' Donuts and Beadazzled.

Sep 23, 09 - 06:44 pm Comment from: Sir Gill Bates

@ Arnold Ziffel,

"Add a couple of porkers and you'd have Nirvana."

I thought I implied that when I said: "... hot, scantily clad go-go dancers." Make mine meaty!

That's pretty amazing given that within a radius of about six miles there are four Apple Stores: Mission Viejo, Irvine Spectrum, Fashion Island, South Coast Plaza and a fifth: Brea Mall, is only a little further.

Sep 23, 09 - 06:51 pm Comment from: Olmecmystic

The Apple Store Easton here in Columbus, Ohio was closed from the 13th-18th; was just there today taking a look at the new 32 GB Touch I want.

They DID remove the checkout register at the front of the store and the rows of software and accessories and replaced them with matching display tables with signs for their functions ("Training", etc.). Much more open.

Easton was the 7th Apple Store opened in the nation back in 2001, so it's definitely one of the veterans. STILL the only one in Columbus eight years later, which is very smart of Apple. The place stays busy. Come Christmas time it'll be packed like it is every year.

Peace.
Olmecmystic

Sep 23, 09 - 08:12 pm Comment from: Sir Gill Bates

@ Olmecmystic,

I wish there was a store around Dayton. I'm going to have to make a pilgrimage to Columbus to check it out. I've simply ordered my last two Macs from Apple and never been in one of the stores. I wonder what percentage of owners are like me?

Sep 23, 09 - 08:43 pm Comment from: silverhawk

The M$ store will have wall paper of crowd scenes. That way to someone walking past it might just look busy. Of course the crowd scene would be from Dunkin Donuts.

The nineties are over when people were believing Microsoft was an innovative and cool company. I admit, back then I was one of them. For my excuse and probably many others: At that time I hadn't touched a Mac yet. - So, we are in the year 2009 and people have had the chance to see the beautiful Apple Stores. But if I see a Microsoft Store I will definitely visit it too. Microsoft is always good for a laugh!

Sep 24, 09 - 12:42 am Comment from: Jim - TIV

@ @Jim...

it is amazing... but the customer service, while good at every apple store I've been in, is simply amazing at this store. The staff is the best I've ever seen, they take a lot of pride in their store and their customers, and it's THE hangout for Mission Viejo HS after school.

Of the stores you mentioned, I would prefer to never take a problem to the Brea store ever again, Irvine spectrum is good.

Sep 24, 09 - 12:43 am Comment from: Jim - TIV

Although... by the looks of the pics on Apple Insider, the Nike store is still up. I'll go and take a look tomorrow...

. It's kind of like their recent zune launch where they sent like 6 zunes to stores so they could claim SOLD OUT to manipulate public opinion.

That is possibly the lamest stunt I've ever heard of.

-jcr

No-one seems to have mentioned a possible connection between the renovation of Apple stores and the forthcoming Mac Tablet. Weren't Apple's earliest stores designed when the inventory consisted of Macs, iPods and software? Their earliest stores were opened in 2001. That's four years before the release of the Mac Mini. Since then the iPod ecosystem has mushroomed and they've added the iPhone. Adding a tablet to stores originally designed to accommodate a much narrower product range might have made things a bit crowded.

Sep 24, 09 - 05:40 am Comment from: hardmanb

@MA Apple Store:

My Alpharetta, GA store closed down for renovation to exactly what you described. Training is indeed now the central activity. The store scintillates with mental activity.

@Fake Zune Tang: spot on!

When the MS store opens, I'm gonna load up on burritos and walk thru the store "crop-dusting" everyone. Then clog up a toilet with carbs before leaving. Then go buy a Macbook Pro.

This will without a doubt set back Micros store opening since the designer will not be able to run to the Apple store and see how it is set up. If they can't come up with their own design for software how would it be any different for their store design?

<crickets>






</crickets>

The Woodland store in Grand Rapids closed last year for the same renovations. Nothing to do with Microsoft, but more to do with better use of space...