Apple Is Preparing Major Changes to Its Stores

Apple plans to accelerate renovations of its retail stores in the coming years. Among the changes are new areas for picking up online orders and for Today at Apple sessions, removal of large video walls, and the return of dedicated Genius Bars. This was reported by Hlavkom, citing Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman.

New areas will appear in stores

Apple plans to change the so-called Avenues – the sections along store walls where the company’s products, accessories, and services are displayed.

According to Gurman, these spaces will include separate zones for picking up online orders and for holding Today at Apple sessions. Each will be about three meters wide.

The order pickup area will feature wood finishes, closed drawers for storing purchases, and a table where staff will hand orders to customers.

For Today at Apple there will be a separate section with a large display and storage for devices used during sessions.

Large video walls will be removed

Another change will be the elimination of the large video walls currently installed at the rear of many Apple stores.

These screens are used, in particular, to show marketing materials and to run Today at Apple sessions. During store renovations, the company plans to remove them and repurpose the space for other functional areas.

Apple will bring back dedicated Genius Bars

Another notable change concerns service areas. Apple plans to return dedicated Genius Bars to its stores – the traditional counters where customers can receive technical support.

Previously the company moved away from that format in favor of the open Genius Grove concept. Now new and renovated stores will again include dedicated counters.

According to Gurman, they will have wood finishes and two height levels. Behind the counters there will be drawers for storing items, and large images of new Apple products will be placed on the walls.

The changes are expected to apply to new and renovated stores. This refers to a gradual update of retail spaces, not a simultaneous overhaul of all Apple Stores.

Earlier, Hlavkom wrote that Apple plans to limit the use of some AI features in iOS 27. In particular, this concerns Apple Intelligence capabilities that require contacting server-based models.