Video Shows Angela Ahrendts Preparing Employees for Apple Watch Retail Launch

In a new private video message to Apple retail store employees, Apple SVP of Retail and Online Stores Angela Ahrendts, along with VP of Retail Operations Jim Bean, has informed the retail staff that training materials for the retail launch are going to be distributed once again, as the company is getting ready to start selling the Apple Watch in its retail stores, 9to5Mac reports. So far, Apple has only been selling the Watch via its online store, but this is soon about to change.

The report quotes Ahrendts telling retail employees, “this is where the rubber hits the road, and now we need to make sure that we are above and beyond ready”, while adding that the company needs to “make sure that it has the best customer experience and that this launch is faster, smarter, and better than Apple has ever done before”. “This is our moment to shine, this will be a launch unlike any we’ve ever had before… this is what you were born to do, this is why you are at Apple,” Ahrendts continued.

According to the report, Jim Bean believes this is going to be a “different launch” as compared to other product retail debuts in the past:

“It’s going to be a little tougher to get everyone the exact [Watch] that they want,” so Apple is using a new “Reserve and Pickup” feature online, according to Bean. This service will allow customers to visit the Apple Online Store beginning at 8AM each day to check if their local Apple Store has the Apple Watch model that they would like to purchase. If the store has the particular version in stock, the customer can reserve it and choose a time to pick it up in all Apple Watch countries.

The source also adds that Apple retail employees have been instructed to allow customers play with a working Apple Watch demo unit paired to an iPhone in stores.