Apple Considering Lounge Concept for Retail Outlets

[Michael Essany]

Let's face it. If not for the coffee shops and cozy reading lounges within some of the world's biggest book retailers, many of us would spend a lot less time in those locations reading books. For this reason it makes sense that Apple is said to be considering a comparable "lounge" concept for some of its retail locations.

Given that Microsoft's retail store in Mission Viejo, California has seen great success with its "lounge" concept, it's easy to understand why Apple would seek to openly mimic a popular staple in modern retail comforts. And according to Gary Allen at ifo Apple Store, the first Apple Store lounge will be found at Apple's soon to open store at St. Louis Galleria - the largest Apple Store in the US that's located inside a shopping mall. Other features of the addition will include a "permanent kiosk" that enables customers 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 noted in his article. "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. Employees at the current mini-store frequently use the mall hallway for training sessions because of the limited interior space of the mini-store."

The Apple Store in question will occupy better than 6,000 square-feet and present a 55-foot wide storefront.

ifo Apple Store

[Funny_Monkey]

This is good.......
I think
I don't think it'll make a lot of diff.

[Rob2G]

Apple, wifi and Starbucks.That's all I need.

[mortopher]

Can we get your articles banned from the front page?

With as excessively annoying as the typical apple store employee is, I wouldn't enjoy this one bit. Hell, nowadays I don't go into one unless I know exactly what I'm going for. Helpful employees? Yes! Annoying fake hipster attitude on each employee? Ugh, yes! I know what an iphone is capable of and how to backup my hard drive, go back to listening to u2, Dax.

[n00neimp0rtant]

UM EXCUSE ME SIR YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE THAT COFFEE OUTSIDE NO DRINKS IN THE STORE

Cause that's all we need--MORE hipsters in the Apple Store. Ah well; hipsters gonna hip. As long as I can still play with Apple's fine toys

Can we get your articles banned from the front page?

I've seen MUCH worse from other people. Besides, this is one of the few articles as of late that's actually interested me.

[mortopher]

I've seen MUCH worse from other people. Besides, this is one of the few articles as of late that's actually interested me.

IMHO the front page should be dedicated to strictly fact based articles.


I understand this will never happen as Cody and Kyle are more concerned with increasing click counts and visits (just like every large site).

[n00neimp0rtant]

I understand this will never happen as Cody and Kyle are more concerned with increasing click counts and visits (just like every large site).

Click counts = article views = people interested in articles = people who enjoy reading on the site = people who keep coming back for more news = go away.

It's not like they've got 20 articles an hour rolling in and you have to sift through them. Read what you want, and not what you don't. The only articles that irritate me are the ones whose headlines make you say "REALLY?? Gee imagine that!" (wow i was completely unaware the ipad was the best-selling tablet computer in the world right now not like it's THE ONLY ONE people have heard about)

[mortopher]

I never said there was anything wrong with their focus, they're running a business, it's their goal to attract as many visitors as possible.

Mess any just happens to be the source of an overwhelmingly large percentage of the rumor based articles on this site.

[SkeleDork]

That's the store I waited in line for 6 hours to get my iphone 4. (Not that anyone cares) So glad they are going to make it bigger. It is so tiny right now. You can barely get into the place most of the time. With the new store I might actually go once in a while.

[rajsukul]

MMi seem to be really behind recently.. all the stuff about the iPad dual dock, Apple moving against Spotify and this were on MacRumors website earlier.. c'mon guys

[Cer0]

Back to topic.

[hollow0]

Can we get your articles banned from the front page?

With as excessively annoying as the typical apple store employee is, I wouldn't enjoy this one bit. Hell, nowadays I don't go into one unless I know exactly what I'm going for. Helpful employees? Yes! Annoying fake hipster attitude on each employee? Ugh, yes! I know what an iphone is capable of and how to backup my hard drive, go back to listening to u2, Dax.

How about we get you banned instead? This article was actually interesting to read. Only thing not interesting is you. Go away clown

[mortopher]

^^ It's called the ignore button.

[EMH]

Wait a minute, tell me I'm reading this right- the St. Louis Galleria is getting a redesigned Apple store that has stuff that other ones don't? Since when do we actually get anything new here? Anyway, that's great news. I'll be sure to check it out when it gets finished.

[SnR]

Apple, wifi and Starbucks.That's all I need.

agreed.

[todomz]

Can we get your articles banned from the front page?

With as excessively annoying as the typical apple store employee is, I wouldn't enjoy this one bit. Hell, nowadays I don't go into one unless I know exactly what I'm going for. Helpful employees? Yes! Annoying fake hipster attitude on each employee? Ugh, yes! I know what an iphone is capable of and how to backup my hard drive, go back to listening to u2, Dax.

Don't be an ***!


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