Why doesn’t Vancouver have an Apple Store?
As much as I’d like to blog about the new iPhone we’re going to keep it Vancouver related here and instead ask why Vancouver has yet to get an Apple store. Owned and operated by Apple they tend to be a far more classy affair than your average Apple reseller.
Seattle’s got four. Toronto has three and even Lavall has one.
Rumours that we’ve going to be getting one have been buzzing around the internet for years now, and yet nothing ever materializes. Vancouver’s an Apple Store kind of city, hip, urban and trendy. We’ve got a pretty active tech community, and unlike Montreal there’s no language barrier.
So come on Apple, Robson needs one of your stores.
Related posts:
Heard rumors of one coming to Robson & Burrard in the not-so-distant future. For now, I’ll settle for the one at Alderwood Mall just outside Seattle.
That’s a little disingenuous since Laval is a suburb of Montreal.
Also, language barrier? For who, the company that already sells computers pre-loaded with Canadian French? And has no problem opening a store in Tokyo? Even if that were a consideration (and all it probably entails is looking over a few French-French display materials to see if they’ll still work, and hiring local staff) I think the noted presence of four nearby locations down in Seattle would outweigh the savings
The Toronto ones are usually really busy. They’re nice to play with things, but you can often do that at resellers, and the prices are consistent across all stores anyway. They’re *very* busy, and if you’re going to need any sort of option on your machine it’s probably easier to buy off the web.
Ok, the Laval one seems to be the first Francophone one from the relevant Metroblogging Montreal post. But they didn’t even translate Genius Bar, so I don’t think the language presented an issue.
At least we are getting a H&M store…albeit at the Coquitlam Centre.
Wrenkin:
The French thing was a throw-away comment. I could have made fun of the Quebec invention of fries, gravy and cheese. So no offense was meant.
I know Apple’s pricing is set for non-Apple retailers, and it’s website is pretty good, but having been in Apple stores in the US, it’s much much nicer often to deal with them. Not only do they have a much better selection, they get the products sooner and even the non-Geniuses are better informed than a lot of the retail outlets who often only sell Apple as part of a larger computer department.
I’ve been sneaking to Seattle for my needs, like Rebecca, but they won’t sell computers to Canadians. I just find I like the Apple Stores better, and that’s after buying Macs from Future Shop (something I’m never doing again), Simply Computing and the Apple.ca store.
Rebecca:
I’m going to go look at the Burrard and Robson corner to refresh my memory as to what’s there. I think the HMV store where Virgin was would be a good location, though I doubt HMV wants to leave.
Luke:
H&M? Oh boy my girlfriend is going to be excited. Is there any confirmation on that anywhere that you can point us to?
Vancouver has been on Apple’s list for a long time, but the company has been working to find the perfect location. Early reports had the store located on a street, but current reports put the store inside the Pacific Centre. Several spaces are being vacated inside the mall and new construction is scheduled. After it all shakes out, we’ll know where the store will be.
H&M Vancouver is already hiring, saw the posts on Monster.ca
I visited the Apple store when I was in London and it was an attraction in itself! Every half an hour or so, they would have a seminar in the front of the store showing how to use Apple products. They covered subjects from recording and posting your own podcast to using your ibook to make your own music. They also covered basic things like how to sync your ipod with Itunes.
It was quite interesting to see the audience as well. Old people, young people, techies, business people, punk gothers… people of different backgrounds and experiences were sitting in the same class sharing a common interest in Apple products. Kinda neat.
Vancouver would definitely be a great place for an Apple store. As one of the big video game entertainment capitals of the world, it would certainly be an appropriate location.
Yeah, I totally forgot about the instore demos. Wow, now I totally want a job at an Apple Store.
I’ve heard a rumor that a store was to happen this year, but it’s just a rumor. It’s true that Apple wants that perfect location to do it, and I would bank on Robson being the place.
The rumor, as I hear it, is that they are trying really hard for the HMV location. With the music industry having a tougher time moving their products in mega music stores, Apple would be biding their time perhaps.
I mean, rent for just one of the Starbucks and Starbucks intersection locations on Robson is $40k per month. Imagine what HMV must pay per month at their location. Case in point, Tiffany’s waited a long time to get the location they wanted; near Robson and close to a world class hotel. Apple’s probably looking for something just as suitable for them.
I know I’m anxious for it to happen. Hell, I’ll probably even apply to work there.
Jeffery:
So far, existence only through job postings and the open encyclopedia..
Fellow Vancouver blog, Beyond Robson, reports: http://www.beyondrobson.com/fashion/2006/12/hm_vancouver_hiring/
Wikipedia article reports: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H&M#Canada
I have yet to hear anything official like a press release of the sorts.
you can always the visit the Apple Store in Calgary - rumoured to be opening this year at Chinook Centre mall
H&M is going to Coquitlam Centre rather than lala-land on Robson. That’s hilarious. Fashionheads will trek out there anyways, no doubt, and it will be as messy as Old Navy on a Saturday.
I beleive that Vancouver should also have an Apple Store and also Mexico should have one . they would make alot of more money