Ever since the Apple Watch was announced in September last year many of us have been wondering exactly when the company is going to starting selling this new product. It confirmed only recently that shipments will begin this April. Customers will be able to purchase the smartwatch both online and through Apple’s website. According to a new report the company is working on a redesign of its retail stores so that they’re better suited to sell the Apple Watch.
In a new profile on Jony Ive The New Yorker’s Ian Parker reveals that the company’s head of design has been working with the retail chief Angela Ahrendts on a redesign for Apple’s retail stores.
Apparently the idea is to make the stores feel like the right place to buy a watch from. Since Apple is positioning the Apple Watch as more of a fashion accessory than a smartwatch it would certainly want to keep that appeal.
The company’s stores normally have carpet-less floors but Parker was told by Ive that he overheard someone saying that they wouldn’t purchase a watch from a store if they weren’t standing on carpet.
While the redesign hasn’t been announced it is likely that there will be a VIP area of sorts within stores where the Apple Watch will be sold, or at least the significantly more expensive Apple Watch Edition units, these design changes are expected to be made before the Apple Watch is released.