How Steve Jobs changed the face of retail with the Apple Store
appleinsider.com May 20, 2026

How Steve Jobs changed the face of retail with the Apple Store

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

The first Apple Stores opened on May 19, 2001, in Glendale, California, and Tysons Corner, Virginia, revolutionizing brick-and-mortar retail. Steve Jobs introduced the concept in a video launch on May 15, 2001. The stores featured Apple products, music, movies, and a Genius Bar for customer support. Over 7,500 visitors attended the two stores on the opening weekend, with $599,000 in sales. The Apple Store concept has since grown to over 500 stores in 20 countries, altering the face of computer and electronics retail. The stores played a key role in Apple's growth and product launches.

💡 Why It Matters

  • · Apple's retail strategy raised the bar for customer experience, forcing competitors to reimagine their own store designs.
  • · The Genius Bar concept set a new standard for in-store technical support.