Editing Apple Inc. (section)

=== Stores ===
{{Main|Apple Store}}
[[File:Apple store fifth avenue.jpg|thumb|[[Apple Fifth Avenue]] is the flagship store in New York City.]]
[[File:Apple Genius Bar Regentstreet London.jpg|thumb|Customers visit the [[Genius Bar]] at Apple's [[Regent Street]] store in 2006.]]
The first Apple Stores were originally opened as two locations in May 2001 by then-[[CEO]] Steve Jobs,<ref name="First stores">{{Cite press release |title=Apple to Open 25 Retail Stores in 2001 |date=May 15, 2001 |publisher=Apple |url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2001/05/15Apple-to-Open-25-Retail-Stores-in-2001 |access-date=May 27, 2017 |archive-date=July 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702110910/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2001/05/15Apple-to-Open-25-Retail-Stores-in-2001/ |url-status=live}}</ref> after years of attempting but failing [[store-within-a-store]] concepts.<ref name="MacRumors stores">{{Cite web |title=Apple Stores |url=https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/apple-retail-stores |access-date=May 27, 2017 |website=[[MacRumors]] |archive-date=May 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170527110627/https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/apple-retail-stores/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Seeing a need for improved retail presentation of the company's products, he began an effort in 1997 to revamp the retail program to get an improved relationship to consumers, and hired [[Ron Johnson (businessman)|Ron Johnson]] in 2000.<ref name="MacRumors stores" /> Jobs relaunched Apple's online store in 1997,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fiegerman |first=Seth |date=May 16, 2014 |title=The Slow Evolution of Apple's Online Store |url=http://mashable.com/2014/05/16/apple-online-store-history |access-date=May 27, 2017 |website=[[Mashable]] |archive-date=July 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701015357/http://mashable.com/2014/05/16/apple-online-store-history/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and opened the first two physical stores in 2001.<ref name="First stores" /> The media initially speculated that Apple would fail,<ref name="fortune-best-retailer">{{Cite web |last=Useem |first=Jerry |date=March 8, 2007 |title=Apple: America's best retailer |url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2007/03/19/8402321/index.htm |access-date=May 27, 2017 |website=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]}}</ref> but its stores were highly successful, bypassing the sales numbers of competing nearby stores, and within three years reached US$1 billion in annual sales, becoming the fastest retailer in history to do so.<ref name="fortune-best-retailer" />

Over the years, Apple has expanded the number of retail locations and its geographical coverage, with 499 stores across 22 countries worldwide {{As of|2017|December|lc=y}}.<ref name="storelist">{{Cite web |title=Store List |url=https://www.apple.com/retail/storelist |access-date=December 5, 2017 |website=Apple Retail |publisher=Apple Inc. |archive-date=November 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171128172800/https://www.apple.com/retail/storelist/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Strong product sales have placed Apple among the top-tier retail stores, with sales over $16 billion globally in 2011.<ref name="retail army">{{Cite web |last=Segal |first=David |date=June 23, 2012 |title=Apple's Retail Army, Long on Loyalty but Short on Pay |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/24/business/apple-store-workers-loyal-but-short-on-pay.html |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220101/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/24/business/apple-store-workers-loyal-but-short-on-pay.html |archive-date=January 1, 2022 |access-date=May 27, 2017 |website=[[The New York Times]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Apple Stores underwent a period of significant redesign, beginning in May 2016. This redesign included physical changes to the Apple Stores, such as open spaces and re-branded rooms, and changes in function to facilitate interaction between consumers and professionals.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Webb |first=Alex |date=May 19, 2016 |title=Inside the New Apple Retail Store Design |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-05-19/why-apple-is-building-a-town-inside-its-stores |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 26, 2017 |publisher=[[Bloomberg L.P.]] |archive-date=April 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427003823/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-05-19/why-apple-is-building-a-town-inside-its-stores |url-status=live}}; {{Cite web |first=Nick |last=Statt |title=Apple just revealed the future of its retail stores |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/5/19/11715726/apple-flagship-store-opening-san-francisco-photos |website=[[The Verge]] |date=May 19, 2016 |access-date=May 27, 2017 |archive-date=April 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427003737/http://www.theverge.com/2016/5/19/11715726/apple-flagship-store-opening-san-francisco-photos |url-status=live}}</ref>

Many Apple Stores are located inside shopping malls, but Apple has built several stand-alone "flagship" stores in high-profile locations.<ref name="MacRumors stores" /> It has been granted design [[patent]]s and received architectural awards for its stores' designs and construction, specifically for its use of glass staircases and cubes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Panzarino |first=Matthew |date=April 19, 2012 |title=Apple out to patent curved glass panels used in Shanghai Retail Store |url=https://thenextweb.com/apple/2012/04/19/apple-out-to-patent-curved-glass-panels-used-in-shanghai-retail-store |access-date=May 27, 2017 |website=[[The Next Web]] |archive-date=October 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026054352/https://thenextweb.com/apple/2012/04/19/apple-out-to-patent-curved-glass-panels-used-in-shanghai-retail-store/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The success of Apple Stores have had significant influence over other consumer electronics retailers, who have lost traffic, control and profits due to a perceived higher quality of service and products at Apple Stores.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Stephen D. |last=Simpson |title=How Apple's fortunes affect other stocks |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/investment-ideas/how-apples-fortunes-affect-other-stocks/article4596866 |website=[[The Globe and Mail]] |publisher=[[The Woodbridge Company]] |date=October 8, 2012 |access-date=May 27, 2017 |archive-date=April 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415153836/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/investment-ideas/how-apples-fortunes-affect-other-stocks/article4596866/ |url-status=live}}; {{Cite web |last=Crothers |first=Brooke |date=March 29, 2012 |title=Is Best Buy following CompUSA, Circuit City to certain doom? |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/is-best-buy-following-compusa-circuit-city-to-certain-doom |access-date=May 27, 2017 |website=[[CNET]] |archive-date=July 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709072737/http://www.cnet.com/news/is-best-buy-following-compusa-circuit-city-to-certain-doom/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Due to the popularity of the brand, Apple receives a large number of job applications, many of which come from young workers.<ref name="retail army" /> Although Apple Store employees receive above-average pay, are offered money toward education and health care, and receive product discounts,<ref name="retail army" /> there are limited or no paths of career advancement.<ref name="retail army" />