…when they open a store in Utah. Three years ago, the only Apple store within a half-hour of my home was a Ma’ and Pa’ shop where the family dog was allowed to roam through the store.
My, how Apple has turned around their retail presence.
You have to admire that kind of thinking: when the retail channel is the weakest link in the chain, build out your own retail channel.
Still, I have mixed feelings about having a store so close to home. One of my guilty pleasures when travelling is to stop by the local Apple store when the schedule permits. In an era when I can have anything I want without leaving my chair, it’s kinda nice to be denied something on occasion. I guess I could pretend that it’s not there… 😉
Ben Galbraith 
did gateway and dell not do the same thing?
Not really. Dell and Gateway have long controlled their own retail channel.
Apple has long relied on partners to provide their retail distribution channel.
Dell and Gateway opening stores, to me, is a much more logical extension of their model. For Apple to do so is to compete with their channel, which of course has long been the subject of controversy, lawsuits, etc. It was a pretty bold move, especially given their lack of experience as a retailer (website notwithstanding).
Of course, whereas Gateway completely retreated from their failed retail presence — and they were professional retailers, Apple seems to be thriving off of theirs.
Does Dell do brick-and-morter stores? That’s surprising to me — I thought they were 100% e-commerce. But, you know, since they started trying to be a consumer product company, I haven’t kept up with their corporate strategy.
dell has a couple of mall kiosks here in Raleigh.
some people like instant gratification. you buy and go home with it. why not have various upgrades ready to go right out of the box and cut out all that time waiting for shippment and all the goes along with that.
Many users rreopt improvements in their general well being and appearance with better skin and hair.