The Apple Store is the official worldwide chain of retail stores owned and operated by Apple Inc. that sells the company’s computers, tablets, phones, music players, and other consumer electronics and accessories. Each Apple Store also features a Genius Bar, where customers can bring their Apple products for technical support and repairs, and offers free workshops available to the public while some stores even feature a theatre for presentations. Ron Johnson, an American businessman and former Senior Vice President of Retail Operations at Apple Inc., is responsible for pioneering the concept of the Apple Store and Genius Bar. In the third quarter of 2014, Apple Inc.’s retail stores were responsible for a total revenue of over $4.1 billion and as of August 2014, Apple has 434 retail stores open in 16 different countries. Below is a list of the most iconic Apple Stores in the world.
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5. The Louvre Store – Paris, France
Located in the Carrousel du Louvre, an underground shopping mall in Paris, France, this Apple Store is located directly under the famed Louvre, one of the world’s largest art museums. The first Apple Store to open in France, the two-story Louvre location is situated just below the iconic glass pyramid that marks the entrance to the iconic and prestigious museum.
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4. The Covent Garden Store – London, England
At the time of this London store’s grand opening in 2010, it was the largest Apple Store in the world–and Apple Inc’s 300th retail location. Located in London’s historic Covent Garden shopping district, the store was one of the company’s biggest and most expensive undertakings, resulting in the complete renovation and restoration of a three-story 1870s building.
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3. The Ginza Store – Tokyo, Japan
This Apple Store, located in the Ginza district of Tokyo, Japan, was the first retail location to open outside of the United States. One of Apple Inc.’s flagship locations, the four-story Ginza store features an 84-seat auditorium and a 27-foot-long Genius Bar. Following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that hit the region, the store remained open and allowed citizens to use its free wifi, watch news reports, and contact family members.
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2. The Pudong Store – Shanghai, China
Apple Inc.’s second Chinese retail store, opened in 2010 and located in the Pudong financial district of Shanghai, China, is characterized by a 40-foot-high glass cylinder surrounded by a shallow glass moat. Similar to the next flagship Apple Store on this list, shoppers descend a glass spiral staircase to access the 5,000-square foot underground store. Apple Inc. has opened 10 additional retail stores in China since the opening of its Pudong location.
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1. The Fifth Avenue Store – New York, New York
Situated right across the street from the famous Plaza Hotel in Midtown, Manhattan sits a 32-foot glass cube fitted with an illuminated floating Apple logo. Opened in 2006 and designed by architectural practice Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, Apple Inc.’s underground flagship location sees more traffic than all of the other three New York City Apple Stores combined, is one of the most visited and photographed places in the city, and is even open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
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