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Apple Stores Generally Mirror U.S. Population Density

by , 1:15 PM EDT, August 28th, 2008

The locations of Apple's U.S. retail stores closely track the U.S. Census Bureau for the highest density population centers, according to ifoAppleStoreon Thursday. However, there are a few notable exceptions.

"Apple claims that over 90 percent of the country's population is within 15 minutes of an Apple retail store, and a population analysis seems to confirm their statement," according to ifoAppleStore, a site that closely watches Apple's retail store activity.

However, there remains some notable exceptions: "Spokane (WA); Boise (ID); the eastern seaboard of Florida north of Miami; a large area of eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey; metro Cleveland; areas of Massachusetts and Rhode Island; and a corridor from central North Carolina south to Atlanta and Alabama."

Apple also looks at the overall wealth of the zip code and other factors when making a decision about store locations. That could explain the delay in the launch of certain locations in Idaho, North Carolina, and Alabama.

ifoAppleStore's map is large, easy to read, and offers an illuminating view of Apple's store location strategy. It may also explain why an Apple store isn't coming to your city any time soon.

Observer Comments

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Close Name:jennielf Posts: 4 Joined: 10 May 2007
Thu Aug 28, 2008 3:21 pm Subject:

The missing area north of Miami on the east coast of Florida is where my Apple Specialist is located. We do cater to a smaller population, but we do it well, and without the horrible crowds. - The Apple Stores are not the end all be all of buying an Mac. These "dead zones" are exactly where us Specialists excel. Please remember that before the Corporate Apple Stores existed, we were your one stop for all Mac stuff, we are still around and many of us are thriving!


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Close Name:j.martellaro -   TMO Staff Posts: 97 Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Thu Aug 28, 2008 5:02 pm Subject: Apple Specialists

Thanks Jennielf for reminding all of us about that!


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Close Name:Guest
Thu Aug 28, 2008 5:44 pm Subject: As a southerner

I'd like to see Apple Stores in Columbia, SC; Greenville, SC; Baldwin County. AL (serving Mobile and Pensacola); Little Rock, AR; and Shreveport, LA.


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Close Name:Guest
Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:29 pm Subject: Popularity = decline in service

Apple stores used to be wonderful. You could talk with highly knowledgeable enthusiastic people. Procare allow for both one on one tutorials and priority hardware service. Now I wouldn't go out of my way to visit an Apple store. They are too crowded and lack of knowledgeable people unless you see a genius but that now requires appointments days in advance. Apple specialist much better but then again it is hit or miss when seeking expert advice given the more limited resources.


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Close Name:Guest
Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:35 pm Subject: Wisconsin

Northeastern Wisconsin (Oshkosh - Appleton - Green Bay) has over 700,000 people, and our nearest Apple Stores are about two hours away in Madison and Milwaukee. We could use one at the Fox River Mall. It would also serve people in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.


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Close Name:Guest
Fri Aug 29, 2008 7:10 am Subject:

There are people in Michigan's upper peninsula? Why? (j/k!)


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