Apple amping up activities and events at retail locations with Today at Apple

Apple is launching  the “Today at Apple” initiative that is is the collection of new, free programs launching in all 495 Apple stores on topics from photo and video to music, coding, art and design and more. The hands-on sessions will be led by highly-trained team members, and in select cities world-class artists, photographers and musicians, teaching sessions from basics and how-to lessons to professional-level programs.

- The new programs and sessions focus on the features of Apple products customers love most, across all skill levels and ages, and begin on May 17.

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Amazon demos it's vision for in store shopping with Amazon Go

Amazon revolutionized online shopping in various ways, most notably with its 1-Click ordering which made buying goods and services deceptively easy and even more tempting than ever. Amazon just demoed its vision for in-store shopping solutions using its Amazon Go app and something it calls "Just Walk Out."

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Video: See the opening of the first Canadian Google Shop

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Janell Fischer, Director of Global Retail Design for Google Inc. cut the ribbon today at the first Canadian Google Shop at the Best Buy Experience Store in Heartland Centre in Mississauga, Canada. 

 Comprised of nearly 700 square feet, Google's new shops are a reflection of the Google hardware brand in a retail space. Even the smallest detail, from the use of curved edges to the hand-picked colour palette, evoke a warm, inviting and playful feel. The shop is fully programmable, meaning its layout can evolve and change as Google’s products do.

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Apple Stores are now just Apple stores

Take special notice of the capitalization. Apple Stores will no longer be called Apple Stores. Instead, these “community hubs” will simply go by Apple *insert store’s location*. For example, the newly opened Apple store in World Trade Center is now just Apple World Trade Center. The tech company is looking to reframe the idea of its stores just being a place to purchase Apple products and accessories. There will be things like 6K video screens, greenery, and even the dismantling of Genius Bar setups in some stores to put in more seats. This change is spearheaded by Apple’s Senior VP for retail Angela Ahrendts. She was quoted saying at the unveiling of Apple Union Square, “The store becomes one with the community.”

Some of the other changes you can expect in Apple’s stores will include a more boutique feel to them with seasonal displays that will showcase various products. This time, they’re showing off iPhone photography accessory. It goes to show Apple is looking to sell you a lifestyle instead of just products.

Source: The Verge