November 30, 2003: Apple expands its retail chain exterior america for the primary time, opening an Apple Retailer in Tokyo’s fashionable Ginza procuring district.
On opening day, 1000’s of Apple followers — probably the largest queue in Apple historical past — line up across the block within the rain to realize early entry to the shop, which affords 5 full flooring of Apple product goodness.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs doesn’t present up for the opening of the 73rd Apple Retailer. Nonetheless, buyers hear a welcoming speech from Eiko Harada, president of Apple Japan.
Apple Retailer Ginza: Worldwide growth
The situation of the Japanese retailer made clear that Apple wasn’t only a tech firm, however a way of life and trend firm, too. Whereas that appears apparent now, it actually didn’t in 2003. To cement this notion, Apple skipped Tokyo’s well-known electronics district Akihabara in favor of glitzy Ginza. That put Apple within the rapid neighborhood of trend manufacturers like Dior, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada and Cartier.
One one that queued up for the opening of the Ginza Apple Retailer likened it to the opening of Tokyo Disneyland: an enchanting mix of Japanese tradition and pure Americana.
“Normally, when a brand new retailer opens in Japan, the clerks would welcome the purchasers by bowing. It’s particularly so in Ginza,” Tokyo-based advisor Nobuyuki Hayashi wrote on his weblog. “However this was not the case at Apple Retailer. The shop stuffs [sic] had been welcoming the purchasers with applause, cheers and excessive fives. I’ve seen some grand openings of latest shops … however no different opening confirmed this sort of pleasure.”
As had change into customary for an Apple retailer opening in america, the primary guests to Apple Retailer Ginza obtained a T-shirt to commemorate the occasion. On this case, the larger-than-normal queue meant extending the giveaway from the standard first 1,000 guests to the primary 2,500.
The Apple Retailer Ginza additionally supplied a Grand Opening Sweepstakes. One fortunate winner took dwelling a 15-inch iMac with Combo Drive, a Canon DV camcorder, a digital digicam and a printer.
Apple’s Japanese connection
Each the late Steve Jobs and former Apple design chief Jony Ive admired Japan very a lot — notably when it got here to Japanese designers’ minimalist aesthetics.
Jobs was additionally taken by the nation’s give attention to Zen, which closely influenced him from his scholar days on. Even his choice to put on a “uniform” consisting of a black turtleneck and denims sprang from Japanese roots. (He started dressing that means after an inspirational dialog with Sony chairman Akio Morita.)
Jobs as soon as even thought of implementing an official uniform for all Apple workers. “I got here again with some samples and informed everybody it could be nice if we might all put on these vests,” he later recalled. “Oh man, did I get booed off the stage. Everyone hated the concept.”
Nonetheless, Cupertino had a blended historical past when it got here to Japan. Reportedly, the U.S. Division of Commerce as soon as printed a handbook utilizing Apple’s early makes an attempt to crack the Japanese market as a case examine of how not to do enterprise within the nation.
By the point Apple opened its Ginza retailer, nonetheless, issues had modified. PCs had change into way more widespread within the nation (one thing that occurred later than in america). In the meantime, generational shifts made Apple cool with youthful clients drawn to the corporate’s “Designed in California” aura.
Apple: Huge in Japan
At the moment, Japan continues to be a stronghold for Apple. Regardless of early predictions that the iPhone wouldn’t succeed within the nation, Japan embraced the handset. Apple opened a number of extra retail shops there, together with a second Tokyo location (within the metropolis’s Shibuya area) and others in Aichi, Fukuoka, Hokkaido, Miyagi and Osaka.
Maybe essentially the most distinctive factor about Japanese Apple shops is a “thriller bag” handed out on Japanese New Yr to individuals who wait in line.
Apple Retailer Ginza within the information
After its grand opening, Apple Retailer Ginza made the information a pair extra occasions. In 2011, it was closely featured in information stories about Steve Jobs’ dying, when it grew to become a gathering level for Japanese Apple followers to pay tribute to the corporate’s revolutionary CEO.
And in 2022, Apple vacated the unique Ginza retailer’s location, transferring to “Japan’s first 12-story constructing made from a fire-resistant wooden and metal development,” in line with Nikkei Asia.
Did you ever make it to the Apple Retailer in Ginza? Have you ever ever attended the opening of an Apple retailer? Depart your feedback under.
