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Monday, February 16, 2009

Apple Stores being revamped with new layout, table displays

Apple is making a number of changes to Apple Stores across the country, starting with the iPhone and iPod touch tables to focus on several categories of applications. The company is also supposedly planning a whole new layout for Apple Stores that will focus more on "digital lifestyle."

By Justin Berka

Apple Stores being revamped with new layout, table displays

Apple has received a fair bit of praise over the years for the Apple Store concept, which has been held up as a model of successful retail execution. But as analysts have noted, Apple Store sales haven't been quite so hot lately. Apple is on the case, though, and according to ifoAppleStore, the company is implementing a number of display and layout changes in an apparent effort to boost sales.

First of all, Apple has apparently changed the design of its iPhone and iPod touch tables in order to highlight the software available for the devices. Application categories such as games and travel are displayed on horizontal, wedge-shaped acrylic blocks, and the surrounding iPhones are loaded with those applications. Apple has also gotten rid of the vertical stands with hardware and pricing information, and is now displaying that information on smaller horizontal displays, making everything a bit easier to read when you're hovering over an iPhone.

Apple is also supposedly planning a bit of a larger makeover in the form of an entirely new store layout. The redesign will mark the third major facelift for the stores, and will focus on the software and "digital lifestyle" aspects of Apple's products, with hardware relegated to a lesser role. Apple will be playing up the advantages of Macs over PCs, and will also be showing off the iLife and iWork suites. We may see the new layout as early as next week, although it's also possible that the transition will gradually take place over a few weeks as new display materials arrive and staff members get some new training. Keep your eyes peeled!

Original here

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