Apple is still on track to open 25 retail stores before the end of 2001, though the events of Sept. 11 and the weak global economy has slightly impacted the financial outlook of the stores.
Apple Chief Financial Officer Fred Anderson said that the retail stores, which now number 11, would see a small loss in the December quarter and for the fiscal year. Previously, it was predicted that the stores would break even in the current financial quarter and begin turning a profit next year.
The reason for the revised forecast is that with the worldwide political and economic situation, Apple expects to sell less computer systems per store than originally expected.
On the bright side, the drop-off at the retail stores after Sept. 11 was smaller than what was observed in other channels. Also, the online Apple store is doing very well and continuing to grow. Anderson said that the online store now accounted for 43 percent of Apple’s overall revenue compared to 26 percent in the year-around quarter.