Apple Previews New Store With Combined Genius Bar and Pickup Spot

Apple today shared photos of its upcoming store at MixC Hefei in China.

Apple Store Combined Genius Bar Apple Pickup
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.

Apple Store MixC Hefei
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.

Apple is also opening a new store at the Miami Worldcenter complex on Friday, January 24, and it is renovating two other stores in Florida and Texas.

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Top Rated Comments

nfl46 Avatar
11 weeks ago
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.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
groove-agent Avatar
11 weeks ago
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.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
klasma Avatar
11 weeks ago

the store features a combined Genius Bar and Apple Pickup station
Failed opportunity to rename it to Pickup Bar.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
maticore78 Avatar
11 weeks ago
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.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jakebrosy Avatar
11 weeks ago
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.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
aParkerMusic Avatar
11 weeks ago

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.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)