Apple Stores Said to Lose Video Walls, Regain Dedicated Genius Bars

Apple is set to overhaul its retail stores, as reported by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman in this week's Power On newsletter. The changes will see the removal of large video walls, the reintroduction of dedicated Genius Bars, and the creation of new spaces for order pickup and Apple's Today at Apple classes. The Avenue, a section of stores where accessories and services are displayed, will undergo a major redesign.

Two compact areas, known as bays, will be dedicated to pickup and Today at Apple services. The pickup bay will feature an all-wood design with lockable drawers for orders, while the Today at Apple bay will include a display, drawers for equipment, and a fixed instructor table. These changes represent a shift away from Apple's previous vision of stores as public gathering places.

The new design aims to focus on service, fulfillment, and everyday shopping needs. Many of these changes are already in effect in select stores worldwide. Apple is also tightening expectations for store staff, requiring them to remain on their feet, avoid using phones and drinks, and applaud when customers enter. This new store layout, intended to blend seamlessly into the store's design, is expected to roll out gradually in new and renovated stores over the coming years.