Memphis, TN will be home to one of the first next-generation Apple Retail stores. The new retailing concept is being developed by Apple Retail head Angela Ahrendts and Apple Chief Designer Jony Ive.
Early plans for the new store, located to the east of Memphis, were approved by the local design review commission last week, according to the Memphis Daily News. In his presentation, Apple representative Rick Millitello called the project “the next generation of retail store that we’re rolling out,” saying it would be one of the first of its kind in the U.S.
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“We’re really excited because this is going to be one of the first, if it’s approved, that we build,” he said. “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 system.”
The current Germantown location is one of Apple’s oldest stores, the 20th overall opened by the Cupertino-based computer and mobile device maker. (Via 512 Pixels)
The new retail design will boast a “matte granite reinforced panel on the exterior wall as well as natural oak tables inside,” the Daily News said. The storefront will likely have an easily changeable display, and will be located inside the same shopping center, but in a new location.
Ive – recently named Apple’s Chief Design Officer – and Ahrendts are working together on a complete overhaul of the Apple Retail store chain, in an effort to make the stores better suited for selling the fashionable Apple Watch.
The duo have already begun to make subtle changes in the retail locations, such as new “premium” packaging for third-party accessories, co-designed by Apple. Apple also recently removed the iPad 2-based “Smart Signs” that were on each display table, in favor of custom apps running on the display Macs and iOS devices, offering information about each product.
