Apple Reportedly To Reopen Some US Stores Next Week
- by Claude Bryan
- in Markets
- — May 10, 2020
Apple's decision meant that all 271 of its stores in the USA have been shuttered for eight weeks.
In the US, on the other hand, which includes more than half of the Apple Stores worldwide, Cook has noted that Apple hopes to re-open "just a few, not a large number" of the 271 locations across the 50 states, suggesting that most customers will have to wait a bit longer before their local Apple Store reopens, even in those states that are already easing restrictions.
The moves expand on Apple's other recently opened locations in South Korea, Austria and Australia.
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"We've missed our customers and look forward to offering our support", a company spokesperson told CNN Business in a statement, adding that the first store to open will be in Boise, Idaho, on Monday.
Apple had closed all of its stores outside China in mid-March "until further notice".
The Apple logo at the entrance to the Apple store on 5th Avenue in Manhattan New York on Oct. 16 2019
Apple first closed its stores for two weeks on March 4, before extending the closure "indefinitely" on March 17.
"We're excited to begin reopening stores in the USA next week, starting with some stores in Idaho, South Carolina, Alabama and Alaska", an Apple spokesperson told CNBC earlier today. Right now, we'd expect Apple to follow state and local government guidance on lifting coronavirus restrictions and adjust its store re-opening plans accordingly. After closing stores in February there, the company opened "on a staggered basis" over a 30-day period lasting through mid-March. Apple had been aiming for a May reopening for some time, but now it's official.
The virtual store has sections to get specialist support, details about no-contact delivery, information on financing, and how to trade in older Apple products for credit. Apple will also have temperature checks for employees and shoppers, though details regarding the implementation remain to be seen. Social-distancing rules will limit the number of customers in the store at one time, which Apple said could create delays for walk-in customers. "We recommend, where possible, customers buy online for contactless delivery or in-store pickup", said the company.
On a somewhat related note, Apple late last week released an iOS 13.5 beta which contains the exposure notification API developed by Apple and Google.
When we said "a shift toward normalcy", that comes with change.
A life long Mac user and Apple enthusiast, Yoni Heisler has been writing about Apple and the tech industry at large for over 6 years.
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