Apple has apparently dropped its plans to build a retail store in New York City’s Grand Central Station. This latest rumor follows a rumor from early February claiming was looking into opening a store in the iconic Manhattan location.
Word of Apple’s change of heart comes via “a source close to the M.T.A.” that’s apparently privy to the Mac and iPhone maker’s plans, according to The Observer.
The original report claiming Apple wanted to set up shop in Grand Central Station was built on word from an anonymous source, along with real estate companies that deal with both entities failing to deny the reports.
A presence in Grand Central Station would put Apple in yet another heavy traffic location, and would be convenient for travelers. For now, however, it appears Apple is mothballing the idea.
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“The original report claiming Apple wanted to set up shop in Grand Central Station was built on word from an anonymous source, along with real estate companies that deal with both entities failing to deny the reports.”
It could be a marketing tactic to get renters. I would think that having an Apple Store in Grand Central Terminal would help attract other “upscale” stores. Just pondering.
This news isn’t too surprising. Apple already has four retail locations in Manhattan, all in areas with high foot traffic. (What locales in Manhattan don’t, really?) Grand Central might be an attractive spot for an Apple Store, but keep in mind that the majority of people passing through there are commuters that come to and fro everyday. There’s no intercity rail service from Grand Central (as there is from Penn Station). Apple couldn’t expect enough “new faces” on a daily/weekly/quarterly basis at a Grand Central store to drive sales of sufficient magnitude. And after a while, there’s “Apple Store fatigue” to consider (the lesson taught us by blocks and blocks of Starbucks, without end, in Manhattan).
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