Genius Bars Are Coming Back to Apple Stores, Big Screens Out

Mark Gurman, reporting in his Power On newsletter for Bloomberg: Apple prepares a retail store shake-up with a renewed focus on a dedicated Genius Bar and revamped pickup and classes areas… Here’s what Apple has planned: New and upgraded retail stores will feature three major changes: a revamped Avenue — the sections along the sides where accessories and Apple services are featured — a return to dedicated Genius Bars, and the removal of the giant video walls found in many locations. The changes begin with two new Avenue sections: one for online pickups and another for its Today at Apple hands-on sessions. Right now, many stores have a dedicated pickup table and a large seating area for the Today at Apple workshops. Those functions will move to the sides of stores within 10-foot sections known internally as bays… There are currently giant video walls at the back of many stores, which use them for Today at Apple sessions and marketing videos. This concept dates back to Angela Ahrendts’…