The store features a combined Genius Bar and Apple Pickup station, so customers can receive support and collect their online orders in a single area. This combination now exists at a handful of Apple's new or renovated retail stores, such as Apple Bridge Street and Apple Old Orchard, according to the Retail Archive account.
Today at Apple creative sessions will also be offered at the store, for free.
Apple MixC Hefei opens to the public on Saturday, January 18, at 10 a.m. local time. The store features a wide, curved glass entrance.
In its press release previewing the store, Apple reminded customers that it is currently offering special-edition AirPods 4 with an engraving for the Year of the Snake in China. They will be available to purchase at the store.
Friday September 11, 2026 11:30 pm PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple's online store is down ahead of iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max pre-orders, which begin at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Saturday, September 12.
"We love that early energy," reads the Apple Store's message when visiting the U.S. website. "Almost ready for you. Pre-order begins at 5:00 a.m. PT. See you soon." Apple has been opening pre-orders at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time for several years, ...
Wednesday September 9, 2026 4:20 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple's online storefront has gone down ahead of the "Surprise and Shine" Apple event taking place later today, where several new products are expected to be announced.
Apple is expected to announce new iPhone 18 Pro models and its all-new foldable iPhone Duo, as well as Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and AirPods 5. The company could also announce the release dates of its next...
In the Apple Store app on the iPhone, select users have received access to an "early preview" of a new AI-powered virtual shopping assistant.
Once it is available, you can open the chatbot by tapping on the speech bubble with two sparkles in the bottom-right corner of the app. Then, you can ask questions about Apple products, your existing Apple Store orders, trade-in values, payment...
The process of retrieving an item from an Apple Store can be highly perplexing.
Upon arrival, customers are prompted to check in at the front. Afterward, they are randomly directed to a table. Standing there, feeling uncertain, you are approached by an individual who inquires, “May I assist you? I see you have been standing here for a while.” It is important to note that I was standing there because I had assumed that after the initial check-in and being directed to stand by a table, someone in the back would retrieve my item.
After re-checking in with this individual and further waiting, the item is finally brought out. This entire process can take anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes, leaving customers bewildered by the unnecessary complexity.
I still find the Apple store concept strange how there's no obvious sales counter to go to if you need help. On one hand I understand the idealistic "just find an Apple store employee and they will help" concept, but when it's busy, you walk in and have no idea where to go or what to do. When that happens (which isn't often), it's frustrating as heck.
I will only go to an Apple Store if I have to. It is like a zoo and no one knows what they are doing. Took me 20 mins just for someone to help me get an iPad last month. I should've just done it online.
The Apple store is the very worst consumer experience if you just want to BUY something. As said above, you are told to stand by a table and then wait. FOREVER. I did it once.
Now they bring me stuff in 2 hours for $8, which is less time and $$ than subwaying down to Lincoln Center and back and fiddle-farging around at the Apple Store.
I really don’t understand the store as a store. It’s an experience place. Got an afternoon free? Go to the Apple Store.
Can? You mean will have to wait for pickup until all the people in front of them who need support have been taken care of?
What problem is this solving, exactly?
There is a 0% chance that all of this means that you wait in a line behind Genius Bar customers in order to pick up your online order. This just means that the pickup people and the Genius Bar people use the same very long table. That’s it. Picking up and getting support are two separate things.
