Recession? What Recession? Apple’s Flagship NYC Store Is Heaving
10:43 am, July 31st, 2009, Leander Kahney
I just visited Apple’s flagship store on Fifth Avenue for the first time — you know, the subterranean one with the glass cube on top that was co-designed by Steve Jobs.
While the architecture is fabulous, the most notable thing was the huge crowd in there at 6.30 PM in the evening on a weeknight. The stores in San Francisco and Los Angeles are often crowded, but the 5th Ave store was heaving. I don’t mean just crowded; it was literally packed, wall to wall.
There were lines for the Genius Bar (OK, expected); there were lines for the checkouts (also expected); there were lines for the iPhone 3GS (not expected); and there were lines for the new MacBooks (set up at a special stand. Also not expected).
There were lines for all the machines in the store. People were hanging about the tables for a chance to use the demo iMacs, MacBooks and iPhones.
It was hard to look at anything on the shelves without asking someone to get out of the way. It was almost impossible to move down some of the aisles because of the crowds.
It more resembled a hip NYC nightclub than a premium consumer electronics manufacturer in the midst of an economic downturn.
Color me genuinely surprised.
BTW: The Fifth Ave locale is one of the five Apple stores to see before you die.
Posted by Leander Kahney in Apple, News, Retail Stores | Comment on this article
that store was truly beautiful when I saw it on my trip 2 NYC
Eric, on July 31st, 2009 at 11:28 am
Nice, I was there just two hours ago… I visit the store atleast once a week for something or the other and the crowd is ALWAYS there!! It never stops… even at like 11pm.
Re Alvarez, on July 31st, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Here’s what astonishes me about the Apple Stores: no matter how jammed with people, the shelves always seem to be well-stocked and orderly. Look at the pictures of this crowded store — clean, everything in its place, accessories fully stocked on their pegs.
Either they’re not actually selling anything from the shelves, or some blue t-shirted employee is constantly replenishing and organizing. I can’t believe that customers there are any less messy than the ones at, say, Target.
ItsGene, on July 31st, 2009 at 12:09 pm
It’s always like that. I’ve been to that store countless times and it is always rammed full of people.
ElectroBoy, on July 31st, 2009 at 3:36 pm
I really want to go there someday. I am not surprised that it is that busy. Didn’t it just come out not too long ago that the 5th Ave store makes about 400 million a year?
Matt, on July 31st, 2009 at 5:27 pm
1. it’s that crazy even at 3 am. well the demo machines are. i’ve seen it
2. yes there are crews restocking and cleaning all the time. although I think they were in black shirts
3. they really need a late night store in LA. snatch the dead virgin megastore at hollywood and highland. don’t have to go 24/7 but I bet between the red line, the movies and the hotel a block up they could stay busy if they were like 9am-11pm during the week and 9am-2am on weekends.
Lucas, on July 31st, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Well I would also love to visit that store also one of these days!!
jazzyl, on August 1st, 2009 at 10:24 pm
[...] Fuente [...]
Apple Store 5ta. Avenida NY: Una tienda que debes visitar antes de morir | Applediario, on August 2nd, 2009 at 6:56 am
Wow, look at all those hipster douchebags!
matt, on August 2nd, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Umm… the recession is clearly in effect. Spend any amount of time at the store, any across the city, and you’ve find them jam packed, not with people looking to get a new computer but folks who just want a free place to surf the web and check their email (as well as avoid the sun at this time of the year). Sure, a few iPod headphones and maybe even a copy of Spore might get rung up at the cash register, but I assure, no one is buying anything substantial.
Also note that a good number of them are killing time for their Genius Bar appointments, which have to be requested at least two days in advance, and even then there’s sometimes a lengthy wait.
And matt, the hipster douchebags are at the SoHo location, these are all just Eurotrash tourists.
fort90, on August 2nd, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Every Apple store I’ve ever been in has been exactly like that. From when they first opened to as recently as two weeks ago. The number of people crammed into them is often ridiculous. Borderline fire-hazard.
The nearest one to my home is usually so crowded that you can actually feel the heat generated by so many people packed so close together. The frickin’ AC can’t keep up. It’s hot, humid, and occasionally stinks due to someone who doesn’t believe in soap. Nasty. I feel truly sorry for the poor schumcks who have a Genius Bar appointment there – they’re always huddled in the corner, nearly shouting at their Mac Genius to be heard above the din of humanity as they fix whatever ails their Mac.
I dig the idea of a Mac store, but all of the ones I’ve been in are not at all that pleasant to be in. Whether to ask questions, play with the newest Apple doodad, or to simply pick up another AC adapter.
Ziggits, on August 3rd, 2009 at 8:10 am
On my last trip into NYC I made a pilgrimage to Big Apple store, very impressive space. As expected the place was packed solid. Doubt the new MS stores will have the same appeal or crowds.
I do wonder how many folks go to try+buy vs. the tourists who pop down under just to use the free wifi/email.
gaRIPHIC, on August 5th, 2009 at 7:34 am
[...] Recession? What Recession? Apple’s Flagship NYC Store Is Heaving (cultofmac.com) [...]
Showdown at the 4chan corral: Doug Rushkoff | linkthe.com, on August 13th, 2009 at 4:25 pm