The Apple Watch Shop at Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann.
Apple’s retail outlets are set to receive a global transformation ahead of the launch of the Apple Watch, with the Apple Store format receiving a makeover prior to the release of the upcoming smartwatch.
The Apple Store has remained relatively unchanged since the first outlet was erected in Fairfax County’s Tysons Corner Center mall, though the launch of the Watch has Apple working with designers to create stores befitting of the device’s lofty price point.
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With the price of the most expensive Apple Watch coming in at an alarmingly expensive $17,000, those who are looking to get their hands on one will likely want to do so in luxurious surrounds, so Apple has been working on making its pristine-white stores look a little more upmarket ahead of the Watch’s launch.
The Apple Watch Store in the Shinjuku district in Tokyo, Japan.
Alongside a few released images of design changes that have already taken place in Apple Stores in Japan and France, Apple blog 9to5Mac has also published leaked images of the display cases the Watch will appear in when it releases on April 24th.
Apple has described these tables as being “magical,” but as far as I can tell they’re just plain old tables with a bit of glass in them. Maybe they unlock a portal to another dimension, though, so I’ll reserve my judgement until I see them for myself later this month when the revamped Apple Stores are unveiled.
Alongside these tables, we should also expect to see some special VIP areas for prospective buyers of the high-end Apple Watch Edition to try on the device, with those who are opting to purchase the $10,000+ models of the smartwatch set to receive hour-long appointments that allow them to thoroughly test it out before they buy it.
Photo: Getty Images
