Tabletops

Tabletops Substack explores the evolution and significance of Apple Stores globally, detailing their design, retail strategy, unique features, and historical milestones. It delves into Apple's retail innovations, including specific stores' architecture, layout, and immersive customer experience with new products like the Apple Vision Pro.

Retail Design and Strategy Apple Store Openings and History Product Launch and Demo Experience Store Architecture and Design Innovations Sustainable Design Practices Technology in Retail Environment

Top posts of the year

And their main takeaways

The big demo

334 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Consumer Tech Product Launch Spatial Computing
  1. Apple's successful retail experience is crucial for the launch of new products like the Vision Pro.
  2. Apple Vision Pro is a personal and unique product in the spatial computing category.
  3. The detailed and well-coordinated demo experience for Vision Pro at Apple Stores is a key factor in its success.

The Company Store

235 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Apple Merchandise Innovation
  1. The Company Store played a significant role in the history of Apple Infinite Loop.
  2. The Apple R&D Campus in 1991 laid the foundation for The Company Store's retail presence.
  3. Apple Infinite Loop evolved to offer a modern store experience with exclusive and high-quality merchandise.

Experience Room

176 implied HN points • 12 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Retail Augmented reality
  1. Apple Stores play a crucial role in introducing new products like Apple Vision Pro to customers.
  2. Apple has created immersive retail experiences for products like Apple Watch and AirPods Pro.
  3. The new Experience Room concept at Apple Stores may revolutionize the retail environment for presenting products like Vision Pro.

Apple Battersea opens

176 implied HN points • 19 Jun 23
🪑 Design Retail Architecture Interior design
  1. Apple Battersea is the 40th store in the UK and showcases Apple's latest design ideas.
  2. Preserving the historic Battersea Power Station posed design challenges that Apple creatively addressed.
  3. The layout of Apple Battersea features a modular design that allows for flexibility and unique configurations.
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Space to learn

137 implied HN points • 29 May 23
🕹 Technology
  1. Apple Store design focuses on creating spaces for education
  2. Different types of in-store environments cater to various session formats
  3. Apple is adapting Today at Apple sessions to meet customer needs and expectations

A true mini store

137 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Design Architecture
  1. A new mini store was created in a 1:64 scale model of Apple Garosugil in Seoul, meticulously detailed and crafted by Juyeong.
  2. Apple Hongdae, a new outdoor store in Seoul, is set to open on January 20 with a unique curved glass corner entrance near Hongik University.
  3. Apple Nanjing East in China underwent renovations, including a new upper level design with Avenues and a rare 5-foot MagSafe bay.

Apple Eaton Centre

137 implied HN points • 01 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Retail Architecture Innovation History
  1. Apple's second store in Canada opened at Toronto Eaton Centre on May 6, 2006, as a testbed for new ideas.
  2. The store featured innovative design elements like The Studio for creative projects and unique display pedestals.
  3. Apple Eaton Centre underwent rapid renovations in 2008 and later reopened in a larger space below its original location.

Apple Hongdae opens

78 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Retail Product Launch Tech news
  1. Apple opened a new store, Apple Hongdae, in Seoul, making it the seventh Apple Store in the city.
  2. Apple is celebrating the Year of the Dragon with special promotions, products, and events in Asia.
  3. Apple announced the upcoming opening of a new store, Apple Mall of Scandinavia, in Sweden, a rare early announcement for the company.

Mirage at Apple Park

78 implied HN points • 05 Jun 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Sculpture Architecture Design Visual Arts
  1. Mirage at Apple Park is a public sculpture made of cast-glass pillars from deserts worldwide, creating a stunning visual during the day and a gentle glow at night.
  2. Apple Battersea in London is Apple's 40th store in the UK and is located in a redevelopment area with offices and apartments.
  3. Apple Watch Pride Edition is celebrated in stores with new displays featuring colorful geometric shapes, and Apple Camp offers kids aged 8-12 a chance to design inventions on iPad.

In good company

78 implied HN points • 03 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Retail Data Analysis App Development
  1. Apple Stores often choose locations near other popular brands like Victoria's Secret, Lululemon, and Sephora.
  2. Most Apple Stores are located on the main level of the malls they are in.
  3. Apple Store distribution seems to loosely correlate with mall operators like Simon and Brookfield.

Apple Tysons Corner: A new chapter

2 HN points • 18 May 23
💼 Business Retail Customer Experience Sustainability Accessibility Design
  1. Apple Store at Tysons Corner underwent a comprehensive redesign, emphasizing the return of the Genius Bar and innovative product discovery spaces.
  2. Accessibility was a key focus, with lowered tables and widened aisles to enhance wheelchair accessibility, along with hearing loop systems for those hard of hearing.
  3. The store showcases fresh takes on traditional Apple Store features, such as Avenues and Apple Pickup, with new design elements like sustainable materials and updated layouts.