The latest Apple store opens on Saturday, and the company has shown off a few photos ahead of time. It has the same curved frontage we’ve seen in a couple of earlier mall stores.
Apple has previously aimed for a relatively seamless transition between the exterior and interior of these stores, and the latest example in Hefei, China, continues this trend …
Third mall store with curved, seamless frontage
We first saw this design in India back in 2023 (below), with Apple describing it at the time as a unique feature.
Apple Saket welcomes customers through a uniquely designed curved storefront with white oak tables displaying Apple’s products and accessories, as well as a feature wall manufactured in India.
You can see the gently curved frontage here, on the opening day with both CEO Tim Cook and retail head Deirdre O’Brien in attendance:
The uniqueness didn’t last long, with the same design seen at a second mall store in Shenzhen, China, just a week later.
The latest iteration (top photo) has been shown off by Apple in preview photos of Apple MixC Hefei, in China’s Anhui province. In this example, there are no pillars obstructing the exterior, so it feels like an even more subtle transition from outside to inside.
As is now usual, locally sourced materials have been incorporated.
Located near Swan Lake and in a prominent business and financial district, Apple MixC Hefei features a wide, curved glass storefront, seamlessly blending the inside and outside, and inviting customers into the store. The new store features sustainably and locally sourced materials, reflecting Apple’s commitment to design excellence and the environment.
Given the proximity of the opening to the lunar new year, Apple is marking the occasion in several ways.
In celebration of the upcoming Chinese New Year, customers can purchase a pair of special-edition AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation that have been engraved for the Year of the Snake. They can also sign up for a special Chinese New Year workshop that teaches fresh ways to capture and relive memories using iPhone 16 and Apple Vision Pro, Apple’s first spatial computer which transforms the way people work, collaborate, and connect. Customers at Apple MixC Hefei can also enjoy festive window decals and decorative elements inside the new store that create a celebratory atmosphere.
The store opens at 10am on Saturday, January 18.
Photos: Apple
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