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Apple Tops U.S. Retail Chains in Sales Per Square Foot

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retailsails sf sales rankings
RetailSails compiles (via 9to5Mac) a list of the top 20 U.S. retail store chains, revealing that Apple easily leads the pack with sales of well over $5,000 per square foot. Second-place Tiffany & Co. came in well behind at under $3,000 per square foot.

It’s not surprising Apple leads the pack, as there have been numerous articles such as this, but it is quite shocking by how far ahead of the competition they are, especially considering the company only has 10 years of retail experience.

RetailSails' report analyzed over 160 U.S.-based retail companies, reporting sales information and calculated sales per square foot on a global basis.

Some of Apple's flagship locations understandably generate sales significantly above the average, with performance at the company's Fifth Avenue store in Manhattan being pegged at approximately $35,000 per square foot several years ago.

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Top Rated Comments

applesith Avatar
applesith
197 months ago
Could the average cost of Apple products vs. the average cost of products at other stores also be part of this (meaning Apple has more expensive products)?

I think so.

I take it you don't shop at Tiffany's?
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
N
nastebu
197 months ago
Also take into consideration the PRICE of the machines they sell per squarefoot.

I would think that not only Tiffany's (#2), but also Coach (#3), has a higher average price for their merchandise.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
W
wol
197 months ago
Makes me wonder where the Microsoft retail stores end up in sales per square foot... ;)
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
I
iMaci7
197 months ago
Makes me wonder where the Microsoft retail stores end up in sales per square foot... ;)

They will just open realy really small stores to beat apple at this record
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TimUSCA Avatar
TimUSCA
197 months ago
This is likely due to Apple's *very* strategic store location planning. They're very careful to not water down their brand by putting stores on every corner a la Radio Shack. Plus, they generally only put them in upscale shopping areas.

Pair that with the fact that people love buying their Apple products in a brick & mortar store, and it's an instant win!

They deserve it, really. Nobody thought their stores would survive, and look at them now. Their stores are what really allowed them to survive and do so well over the last decade. I credit them to really "saving" the company.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
T
Tiger8
197 months ago
Disruptive

I am reading a book called 'Disrupt!' about businesses that thought outside the box, the Apple retail store is listed as one of the examples. Apparently, Apple observed that users like not only to look at a product, but interact with it: Touch it, feel it, as if it is their own. All Apple sales reps are trained not to hassle customers, be responsive but not to be over the customer's shoulder as they are shopping (have you been to a furniture store recently? Jesus!)

Apple sells an experience in their store, and they make it so easy for you to wip the plastic out and any t-shirt wearing sales rep can instantly do the checkout for you. No need to drag all the stuff and go to the 'checkout line'
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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