Horace Dediu:
Apple’s retail stores increased sales by nearly 60% in Q4. This is a dramatic though not unprecedented change from Q3′s 1% growth rate. The growth rate faithfully tracks iPhone releases as demonstrated in a post last quarter.
Apple Retail Stores
Apple hires new Senior Vice President of Retail
Apple today announced that John Browett will join the company as senior vice president of Retail, reporting to Apple CEO Tim Cook. Browett comes to Apple from European technology retailer Dixons Retail, where he has been CEO since 2007. Beginning in April, he will be responsible for Apple’s retail strategy and the continued expansion of Apple retail stores around the world.“Our retail stores are all about customer service, and John shares that commitment like no one else we’ve met,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “We are thrilled to have him join our team and bring his incredible retail experience to Apple.”
Replacing Ron Johnson, who left Apple for Target.
Apple stores in Target
Mac Rumors:
Target has confirmed its plans to launch “store-within-a-store” concepts for Apple products in 25 of its stores around the United States. The announcement comes alongside a broader effort called “the Shops at Target” that will offer special focuses on certain products.
Apple Asia’s Lunar New Year sales
Apple Asia’s one-day Lunar New Year sales event has begun in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore and Thailand. According to YJ, who sent me the info from Singapore, this sale is like the annual Thanksgiving sale in the U.S.
38 pictures from Apple’s Grand Terminal store opening
The Loop reader Mike DeFrancesco was at the Grand Central Terminal Apple Store this morning and sent us these pictures and comment from the opening.
Apple’s Grand Central store packed for opening day
It’s simply amazing the crowds Apple can draw for a store opening.
∞ Apple storefront photos
Nice gallery.
∞ Apple's redesigned glass cube
Simply beautiful.
∞ Apple leads all retailers in sales per square foot
Electronista: Apple is the top US retailer, at least in terms of sales per square foot, a RetailSails analysis indicates. The firm recently surveyed the last four quarters of over 160 retailers, and remarks that Apple’s sales were about $5,626 … Continued
∞ Apple boosting retail staff from Aug. 15 to Sept. 15
Mac Rumors: We’ve now learned that at least some U.S. Apple Retail stores are also recruiting former employees to return as part time employees for Holidays, new Product Launches and Back to School time. A former employee received emails asking … Continued
∞ Two fake Apple Stores in China ordered to close
Melanie Lee for Reuters: Chinese officials in Kunming have ordered two fake Apple shops to close, not because of piracy or copyright concerns, but because the stores in the southwestern city did not have an official business permit. Five self-branded … Continued
∞ China to investigate fake Apple stores
Reuters: The inspections will look into business licenses, authorized permits on brand use, and the purchase channel of each store, said a worker with the city’s industrial and commercial department. I don’t think anyone was surprised when these fake stores … Continued
∞ Apple opening Grand Central retail store
NY Post: The 23,000-square-foot store will take up Grand Central’s north and northeast balconies, displacing Charlie Palmer’s Metrazur restaurant, according to MTA documents. Apple will initially pay rent of $800,000 a year, nearly half a million more than Metrazur paid. … Continued
∞ More fake Apple Stores uncovered worldwide
Jason Subler for Reuters: After the stir provoked by her first blog, titled “Are you listening, Steve Jobs”, the woman invited readers to send their photographs of fake Apple stores worldwide — and has received responses from place including Costa … Continued
∞ Customers angry at China's fake Apple Store
Reuters: Wang, a petite, 23-year-old office worker who would not give her first name, spent 14,000 yuan ($2,170) last month buying a Macbook Pro 13-inch and a 3G iPhone from the Kunming store. She wasn’t issued a receipt at the … Continued
∞ Apple retail stores boast over 1 billion visitors
Patrick Avenell writing for the Current: “Apple Retail has been in business for 10 years. During this period, we have had over 1 billion visitors through our doors, many of whom are new to the Mac, as the Apple Store … Continued
∞ Apple retail chief leaves for JC Penney
Apple Vice President Ron Johnson will leave the company and take over as the CEO of JC Penny.
Johnson has been at the heart of Apple’s retail organization since it began a decade ago. He came to Apple from Target where he was the vice president of merchandising when he left.
Johnson will take over from current CEO Mike Ullman on November 1, 2011. Johnson will also join the PC Penny Board of Directors on August 1, 2011.