Deidre O’Brien, Apple’s vice president of retail and people, on Monday, told Apple employees that “many more” Apple stores are readying for a May re-opening.
Bloomberg reports O’Brien shared that information with employees during a weekly video update with staff. “We are continuing to analyze this health situation in every location, and I do expect we will reopen up many more stores in May,” O’Brien told staff. No announcement was made as to which stores she was referring to, or which regions of the world would see store re-openings first.
A single store in South Korea was re-opened on April 18 for repairs and purchase pickups. Apple is reportedly aiming to unshutter North American stores by mid-June.
When re-opening stores, Apple will take into account all local conditions and recommendations. Some U.S. states (Texas, Georgia, and Tennessee, for example), began relaxing their social distancing guidelines this week, allowing some businesses to re-open.
Other states have kept their shelter-in-place orders in place. For example, the Bay Area, where Apple headquarters are located, has extended its shelter-in-place order through the end of May.
All Apple Stores outside of Greater China (and the recently re-opened South Korea location) have been closed since March 14.