Apple planning three major changes for its retail stores, per report

Apple is reportedly planning to make significant changes to its retail stores, according to a recent Bloomberg report. Mark Gurman, in his Power On newsletter, has outlined three major changes set to take place in these revamped stores.

Firstly, Apple intends to bring back dedicated Genius Bars, marking a return to a design it abandoned over a decade ago. These bars will incorporate an all-wood aesthetic and will include two counter heights for better accessibility. The wall behind the bar will house storage drawers and large posters showcasing new products.

Secondly, Apple plans to renovate the "Avenue" sections in its stores. These areas, traditionally used for promoting accessories and Apple services, will see the addition of two new bays. One bay will be dedicated to online pickups, featuring a wooden structure with a subtle Apple logo at the top and secure drawers at the bottom. The other bay will house the Today at Apple sessions, complete with a large display and secure drawers for instructors to store devices.

Lastly, Apple is set to remove the large video walls typically found at the back of most stores. These walls were primarily used for Today at Apple sessions and marketing purposes. Instead, Apple will replace them with the dedicated Genius Bars, returning to a familiar element from a previous era.

These changes aim to realign Apple's retail stores, focusing more on traditional and practical retail, service, and fulfillment functions.