One Year After the Pandemic... All 270 Apple Stores in the U.S. Reopen for Business

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Cho] For the first time in about a year since the COVID-19 pandemic, all 270 Apple Stores in the United States have reopened. This is seen as a sign of moving away from lockdowns as the number of new infections decreases and vaccinations begin.

According to economic media CNBC and others, an Apple spokesperson confirmed on the 1st (local time) that the Apple Store located in Texas has resumed operations, and all Apple Stores in the U.S. are now operating normally.

This is the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March last year that all Apple Stores in the U.S. have been open. On the 2nd, two Apple Stores in Mexico will also resume operations. Visitors wishing to purchase products such as iPhones at Apple Stores must make a reservation in advance, and wearing masks is mandatory.

Apple first closed Apple Stores outside of China on March 13 last year, when the spread of COVID-19 intensified. The closure was initially planned for two weeks but was extended due to the prolonged pandemic. Currently, 12 stores in France and 2 in Brazil remain closed.

CNBC reported that despite the closure of Apple Stores last year, Apple did not experience disruptions in product sales by opening online stores and others. However, Apple CEO Tim Cook recently mentioned in a financial report that if Apple Stores had been operating normally, the results would have been better.