Report: Apple redesigning its retail stores

Apple is reportedly planning an overhaul of its once ground-breaking retail stores.

When Apple first opened retail stores 13 years ago, it set out to change retailing in everything from the product displays to the wireless point-of-sale devices and its Genius Bar tech support. The approach was innovative and widely successful.

Now, according to an article in the New Yorker, Apple design chief Jonathan Ive is working with Apple retail chief Angela Ahrendts on a revamp of the company's stores. It's not clear when the overhauled stores would make their debuts. As Apple's SVP of design, Ive has emerged as the company's creative soul, continuing an aesthetic tradition set by co-founder Steve Jobs. Ive was responsible for the build and the finish of the iMac, the MacBook, the iPod, the iPhone, the iPad, and the forthcoming Apple Watch.

Ahrendts, who is often credited with turning around the luxury retailer Burberrys, was hired by Apple in May. Ive and Ahrendts will be tasked with making Apple’s stores “more VIP” and better suited for selling the Apple Watch, according to the article.

The details confirm a separate report from earlier this year, which said that Ahrendts is spearheading major physical changes for Apple's retail stores. Some changes, such as new seating areas, are expected to be implemented before the launch of the Apple Watch in April.

Read more here.