Apple's worldwide network of retail stores has already seen nearly 300 million visitors in its current fiscal year, with about a month and a half left to go. (Apple's fiscal year runs from October through September.) The news was shared with The Loop as Apple opened stores 374 and 375 in Vancouver, British Columbia and Halifax, Nova Scotia this last Saturday, August 18.
Apple noted in July during its quarterly analyst call that 83 million customers visited its stores during the third quarter, for an average of 17,000 per store per week. With a new iPhone expected to launch at the end of the quarter, Apple could easily boast well over 350 million retail store visitors for the entire year.
And those of you who have ever had trouble booking a Genius Bar appointment may not be surprised at another statistic that Apple revealed: 50,000 people are aided by Apple Geniuses every single day. That means over 18 million people are getting help with a Mac, iPhone, iPad, or other Apple kit every year.
Apple's new SVP of retail, John Browett, apparently flirted with cutting staff in an attempt to increase the already healthy profit margins (22 percent on average) of its stores. It's clear from the level of traffic that it was probably a bad idea, and Apple announced publicly that it has already reversed those plans.
According to ifoAppleStore, Apple opens as many as 50 new retail stores every year, with about half of those outside the US. The company could have as many as 400 stores total open by the end of 2012.
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