Apple's store in China
AP
Today is the 10th anniversary of Apple's retail stores.
2011-05-19
When Apple decided to launch its own brick and mortar stores critics scoffed that they would fail.
Apple proved the doubters wrong, and the stores generated $3.19 in sales last quarter , 13% of Apple's overall business.
The retail stores were a brilliant marketing move, allowing the company to define its brand to consumers around the world.
Their sleek exteriors and welcoming interiors are just what Apple wants people to think of when they think of Apple.
These are Apple's first two stores. Tysons Corner, Virginia on the left, Glendale, California on the right.
Apple
The wooden tables that are now standard in Apple stores started in Phoenix
Flickr/Open Threads
Apple's first international expansion was into Japan, this is its Ginza store
Flickr/Yoshikazu Takada
Apple's dedication to secrecy and big reveals carries over to its stores. Here is its best attempt to keep a secret in New York ...
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... and its attempt in China to hide a new store.
Flickr/Hyaku Shiki
The Apple store in Shanghai revealed
Roy Zipstein
The Apple store in Manhattan on 5th avenue revealed
Flickr/Phil Photostream
Looking up at the glass stair case inside the 5th avenue store
stevegarfield
Here's another store in China.
Flickr/Ivan Walsh
Apple's stores can reflect their surroundings, like this store in Miami.
Flickr/achimh
Or this store in London, which is Apple's biggest in the world.
Flickr/Jeff Wilcox
A view from the London store, which is Apple's largest, looking out to the street
Flickr/bjoern
Apple store openings are usually a big deal. Here you can see the celebration of a store opening in Hawaii.
Flickr/hawaii
Apple is quite fond of big glass fronts for its stores, like this one in Boston
Flickr/elorgwhee
The Boston store also sports one of Apple's signature glass staircases
Flickr/sushiesque
Apple's store in the mall at Louvre makes for pretty photos
Flickr/Welou
The interior of Apple's other store in Paris is crazy looking
Apple
And here's the exterior of the Paris store on the day it opened
Apple
Apple's store in Bondai has trees in it.
ifoman
This isn't an Apple store, but Apple paid $3.9 million to help Chicago transit renovate this train station which is near its Lincoln Park store
Before image: Metro Jackson, Afer image: Flickr/Zolk
And here's the Lincoln Park store
Flickr/Zolk
Which store did we miss?
Apple's store in Glasgow
Flickr/Paul Robertson
Is there a great Apple store that should be on here, but we missed? Let us know in the comments.
More on Apple's stores
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