Target will open mini Apple stores to attract post-pandemic shoppers

[OneMoreThing...]

Target is preparing for a post-pandemic world where casual shopping is safe again, and it thinks it has a way to keep you from drifting to other stores: bring those stores inside. CNBC reports Target is opening mini Apple stores that make it easier t...

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[chscag]

This was tried some years ago at Best Buy stores and seemed to do well enough. The problem with "mini" stores is that they are sales only and provide no real help if you have problems.

Of course now Best Buy stores are authorized Apple repair service stations. That is if you trust major repairs to the "Geek Squad".

 

[Brian1230]

I went to my local Apple store to get my m1 MacBook Air earlier and they were out of stock, but my local Best Buy had one in stock, and the sales person actually seemed to know what he was talking about. don't think I'd let them do repairs... but was surprised when I asked about the m1 MacBook Air he knew what it was, since they didn't have any on display.

 

[chscag]

Best Buy stores are AASPs (Apple Authorized Service Providers) and they supposedly have one or two Apple trained technicians on duty. They generally can do minor repairs but anything major they will send out to Apple. I had a battery replaced by them on my iPhone 7+ and they did a good job. Charged the same price as at an Apple Store.

 

[Randy B. Singer]

I had the battery in my iPhone replaced at a Best Buy (I figured that the lack of crowds would make it go faster), and it took the entire freaking day. The last time I had it done in an Apple Store it only took about an hour.

I suspect that these Target mini Apple Stores will be like the first Best Buy Apple Stores were. Those first stores only had stuff for sale that required little assistance from staff in the sale, and few additional purchases: iPhones, Apple Watches, iPads.