I was at the Apple Store in Somerset Mall, Troy MI on Friday. They had sport bands on the shelf, but when I asked about the leather loop, the guy thought they might have some in the back. He came back out with a Black leather loop band, which I picked up for my watch (which is arriving on Monday!). So, the OP is correct. They do have some in the back, not on the shelves. You just have to ask.
Yup , scored a stainless link in a Boston store this morn:
1.ask the guys on the floor to pull their hand device out of their holster and open up the watch section
2. Look for the bands in bold and not gray'd out
3. Those are the ones on stock
4. Most staff are shocked when they see the bold items
5 stores receive stock every day except Sunday, check late aft.