Apple Inc. (AAPL) Conducting a Refresh of Its Apple Stores? Really?

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has gained a reputation over the years for being a model in retail. After all, the company has developed a store design model that has been the envy of the world. The company brings in more sales per square foot of retail space than any other retailer in America- in fact, twice as much as the No. 2 company, Tiffany – with more than $6,000 per square foot according to the most recent estimates. The design and business model became such a part of the Apple brand the Cupertino even successfully got it trademarked. So if it’s so great, is there really a need for a refresh?

Some may argue no, but that didn’t stop Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) from taking a step forward and hiring architect Norman Foster’s firm to conduct a design refresh for all of the Apple’s worldwide retail stores.Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)

Yes, for those of you who really, really follow Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), you may know that Cupertino had used the firm 8 Inc. for the design of its retail stores and thus would notice the change as being significant. Then again, if you really, really follow Apple, you also would know that Foster + Partners was the choice of late CEO Steve Jobs to create and design a new Apple headquarters campus, which looked like an other-worldly spaceship when the designs were revealed about two years ago.

Photo: Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) Store

It is interesting to note that this firm would be hired to do the retail stores when its original Apple project is nearly two years old, has cost about $3 billion and is not completed yet. But who is going to let any silly time-lines or deadlines get in the way of a new contract?

Details about this project are sketchy at this point – in other words, will Foster + Partners have the freedom to completely change the trademarked Apple Store design and floor plan, or will this be more aesthetic and cosmetic  refreshing? Only time will tell, but apparently Foster + Partners has developed a reputation for creating  awesomely modern designs, like the McLaren Technology Centre.

What are your thoughts about the Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) retail store refresh? If it isn’t broke, should it be fixed? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

DISCLOSURE: I own no positions in any stock mentioned.