Apple is reportedly accelerating renovations of its retail stores, bringing back dedicated Genius Bars, moving online pickups and Today at Apple sessions into side bays, and removing many large video walls. The changes come from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, as reported by 9to5Mac and AppleInsider.
Apple Store renovations move towards practical retail
Apple’s renovated stores will put more space into service, fulfilment and hands-on sessions. Gurman says the company plans to be more selective about opening new locations while increasing the pace of renovations over the next few years.
The changes centre on the Avenue sections along the sides of stores. Two new bays will handle online order pickups and Today at Apple sessions, replacing separate pickup tables and large seating areas. The pickup bay will use wooden construction, secured drawers and a table where staff can hand orders to customers.
Dedicated Genius Bars return to Apple Store designs
Many stores are expected to lose the large video walls used for marketing and Today at Apple sessions. Apple will replace them with dedicated Genius Bars, returning to a layout it moved away from more than a decade ago when it introduced the Genius Grove concept.
The new Genius Bars will use an all-wood design, with two counter heights for accessibility. Storage drawers and large product posters will sit behind the counters. Some of the concepts have already been tested in Apple Stores, according to AppleInsider, with a wider rollout planned over the next few years.
Apple has not announced a renovation timetable for its UAE stores. The company operates locations at Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates and Yas Mall, but the report does not identify which individual stores will receive the new design or when.
Apple’s existing UAE store presence includes locations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The company has not published a store-by-store renovation schedule.
Apple’s UAE online store continues to list products and support options while the reported retail work is rolled out.
What is Apple changing in its stores?
Apple is redesigning Avenue sections for online pickups and Today at Apple sessions, removing many video walls and bringing back dedicated Genius Bars.
Why are Apple Stores getting more Genius Bars?
The reported redesign puts more emphasis on practical retail, service and fulfilment functions rather than large communal display areas.
Will Apple Stores in the UAE get the redesign?
A global rollout is expected over the next few years, but Apple has not confirmed renovation dates for its UAE locations.
