Apple Computer is about to roll out a chain of stores that will sell its own brand of computer equipment. The company is keeping mum on the plan, but Apple stores are set to open in centers across the country, mall executives report.
"Theyire opening lots of them around the country now," said Terry McEwen, president of Memphis-based Poag & McEwen Lifestyle Centers, which will have a 6,200-square-foot Apple store in the lifestyle center it plans to open in Littleton, Colo. in November. Poag is developing the 60-store lifestyle center, called Aspen Grove, with Cleveland-based Developers Diversified Realty Corp. Executives of one large New York City area mall say they are also close to signing a deal with Apple.
These rumors first began circulating late last year, with some even expecting an announcement of Apple based retail locations at Januaryis MACWORLD San Francisco conference. However, if the stores are being built, and a New York City locations is in the works, signs point to a MACWORLD New York announcement.
You can read the full story at the International Council of Shopping Centers Web site.