Mac4Ever reports the Apple Watch pop up shop in Galeries Lafayette will close in January 2017. The shop opened in the location back in 2015, to offer a location for customers to browse and purchase the various models of the original Apple Watch, with a focus on the high-end Apple Watch Edition models.
A number of upscale department stores launched Apple Watch pop up stores when the device launched in 2015. Locations included Selfridges in London, Isetan in Tokyo, and Galeries Lafayette in Paris.
The Mac4Ever report indicates the reason for the shutdown is a lack of sales. Although another contributing factor could be Apple’s change of focus as of the release of the Apple Watch Series 2, earlier this year. The new model focuses on fitness, and the high-end Edition model now comes in a substantially cheaper $1,300 ceramic model. Original Edition Apple Watches ranged in cost from $10,000 to over $17,000.
The pop up shops were located in easily visible, high-traffic areas of the department stores, in the vicinity of other high-end brands and products. The stores were designed to offer the best service possible for users wishing to try on and purchase Apple’s wearable device. The pop up stores do not offer support, instead directing customers to nearby Apple retail stores for support.
(Via MacRumors)
