Gateway is shutting its retail stores on April 9th. This abrupt decision is directly related to the recent acquisition of eMachines and the desire to cut costs.

Any comments?

edited 4/5 to change topic from announcement to normal

I thought that Gateway was going to be able to convert these stores into proper consumer electronic outfits, but it seems not. In that light, closing them is the lesser of many evils, though I feel very bad for the 2,500 employees that are losing their jobs.

I think all the ones in this area already closed.  I’m sure this is going to make analysts go “Hmmmm…” about Apple’s retail strategy.

I really thought that with the change to the consumer electronics focus, the stores would be saved.  Guess not.  Sure looks good for Apple’s booming retail stores!

Apple stores are community centres

Apple stores are not traditional retailer stores.  They are community centres.

...and they are the Temples of the Cult of Macintosh.