Apple’s next-gen store design: Three early details

New York -- Apple is getting ready to unveil its next generation of store design — and the industry is already buzzing over the details.



Unfortunately, there aren’t many available — and the few that are don’t seem very revolutionary. What little specifics known about the store are based on remarks made by Rick Millitello, who presented the new store plan on behalf of Apple to the Germantown Design Review Commission for review. (And yes, it was approved.)



Here are three details:



1. Apple will unveil its updated store design in The Shops of Saddle Creek South, a mall in Germantown, Pennsylvania.



“Our project is the next generation of retail store that we’re rolling out, and that’s the design concept that we have – and we’re really excited because this is going to be one of the first, if it’s approved, that we build,” Millitello told the Memphis newspaper, The Daily News. “So we’re really excited to expand in Germantown and we’re excited to see the result of all the work that we’ve put in to develop this design.”



2. Other aspects of the design, according to Millitello, include an exterior matte granite reinforced panel, and natural oak tables for product displays on the interior.



3. The store will also feature a changeable storefront display that will showcase such things as plants, TV displays of multimedia video and artwork.



Industry experts also say expect to see some changes regarding how products are prioritized and arranged within the space.



The new retail design will be featured in some overseas stores this fall.



In June, Angela Ahrendts, Apple’s senior VP of retail and online stores, told the Associated Press that the company plans to renovate 20 of its existing U.S. stores, including its Fifth Avenue location.