According to Bloomberg, more Apple Stores are expected to open in May, as per the iPhone maker’s retail chief in a memo to employees.
Apple said in its weekly update to staff “many more” of its retail stores are expected to open next month, after closing them all temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic (except for those in China):
Deirdre O’Brien, vice president of retail and people, made the disclosure in a weekly video update, according to retail employees familiar with the matter. She didn’t specify which stores or regions, but said “we are continuing to analyze this health situation in every location, and I do expect we will reopen up many more stores in May.” The company declined to comment.
There’s no word on what specific locations will reopen first, but in a prior memo, the retail chief said some U.S. locations might start operations again in May. No word if and when Apple Stores would reopen in Canada.
Just over a week ago, an Apple Store in South Korea reopened, the first outside of Greater China. The store limited the number of people inside and was accepting pickups and repairs. Customers have to answer health-related questions, have their temperate taken and are asked to wear a mask, before they can enter the Apple Store.
Bloomberg says some retail employees started going back to work—albeit from home—over the past couple weeks. These employees have been doing training from home, along with some others offering technical support for customers. Apple’s corporate staff still are working from home.
