Apple: 1 billion store visitors and counting

Since they opened their doors to the public in 2001, Apple Retail Stores have ushered in more than one billion visitors. And Apple Inc. does not appear to be keen on stopping as it is planning to open new stores worldwide in quick succession. “Apple Retail has been in business for 10 years. During this period, we have had over one billion visitors through our doors, many of whom are new to the Mac, as the Apple Store is the best place to learn about all the latest products from Apple," Australian appliance site Current.com.au quoted one of Apple's spokespersons as saying. It said this was part of a reply by Apple's local PR team to the site's query about Apple's direct-to-consumer retail plans. The maker of the popular iPhones and iPads had announced this week the opening of its 11th Australian Retail Store in Penrith. Apple also said that it plans on adding to its current global count of 330 stores at a fast rate. “Our retail offering continues to grow, with Penrith the 11th store in Australia, since we opened Apple Store Sydney just three years ago. Globally we are planning to have 363 stores in fiscal 2011," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said that the Apple fiscal year ends on September 25. "With the Apple fiscal year ending on 25 September 2011, that means Apple will be opening a new retail store, on average, every 50 hours until that date," Current.com.au said. — TJD, GMA News