I know, I know.
Mind you, I can't help wondering about the fact that if Angela Arendts were male, whether there would be quite this degree of splenetic fuming, faffing and frothing .
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Thoughts on Angela Ahrendts.
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I know, I know.
Mind you, I can't help wondering about the fact that if Angela Arendts were male, whether there would be quite this degree of splenetic fuming, faffing and frothing .
I find this thread funny. She didn't cause the short supply of the Apple Watch. She may have come up( or at least worked with the other higher up execs) with the retail strategy of only doing online orders for now to deal with the low supply and the 15 minute appointments are probably her work too, but you can't blame her for the 4/24-5/8 window thing, the low supply, possibly launching it too soon vs delaying it, etc.
Her job is about the retail experience, not the stock/supply side.
For everyone that is complaining about the $10,000 Apple Watch Edition, clearly doesn't understand its market demographic. People who will buy the Apple Watch Edition buy Ferrari's and Lambo's as if they were Camry's and Accords...... It's a different discussion if Apple can compete with those other high end watch companies that are in the same price range, but that is what Apple is going for with the Edition.
Her job is about the retail experience, not the stock/supply side.
For everyone that is complaining about the $10,000 Apple Watch Edition, clearly doesn't understand its market demographic. People who will buy the Apple Watch Edition buy Ferrari's and Lambo's as if they were Camry's and Accords...... It's a different discussion if Apple can compete with those other high end watch companies that are in the same price range, but that is what Apple is going for with the Edition.
At Burberry she sold millions of baseball caps and scarves to hooligans/chavs/scallies/Prolls....
At Apple she seems a bit lost, that video the other day was making me cringe. Before the watch went to 'pre-order' there was talk of not buying Apple Watch in a shop without carpets ( a claimed Jony Ive quote), and in the end it was all a rather boring experience, a table with glass on top displaying watches running a demo loop. The try on session was ok, but certainly nothing special.
Then she announced the end of queues at launches, but retracted that soon after. The new MacBook is only on display in very few stores, getting one is an even harder challenge. The Watch launch was embarrassing. Apple make great computers and gadgets, they are not that great with online experience (iCloud, Ping, iTunes radio, Apple Pay), and they have become pretty poor at retail experience. As Angela is still fairy new, just give her back that ghastly checked handbag and show her the door.
At Apple she seems a bit lost, that video the other day was making me cringe. Before the watch went to 'pre-order' there was talk of not buying Apple Watch in a shop without carpets ( a claimed Jony Ive quote), and in the end it was all a rather boring experience, a table with glass on top displaying watches running a demo loop. The try on session was ok, but certainly nothing special.
Then she announced the end of queues at launches, but retracted that soon after. The new MacBook is only on display in very few stores, getting one is an even harder challenge. The Watch launch was embarrassing. Apple make great computers and gadgets, they are not that great with online experience (iCloud, Ping, iTunes radio, Apple Pay), and they have become pretty poor at retail experience. As Angela is still fairy new, just give her back that ghastly checked handbag and show her the door.
Sorry you are mistaken. Steve showed Obama the phone before announcement. Never gave him one.
You know, there are people on this forum who do buy watches in Apple Watch Edition's price range or much higher and we still complain about the price.
I believe the people who will buy the Edition are probably buying watches in a different range normally ($100k and higher).
But still, there was one gentleman who seemed to have watches around $100k here and he still wasn't getting the Edition (because of price), so perhaps it's only the cross section between fabulously wealthy and tasteless/stupid.
Like I said it's a different discussion if Apple can compete with the other watches in the price range. I just said that is the demographic they are going for with the Edition.
For the most part people complaining about the price of the Edition is simply the, " $10,000 for a watch?!!?" types.
Yes, I agree with you. One thing I would add though is that since the $10000-100000 watch buyers still complain about the price, I would say it's quite overpriced with respect to other watches in the $10000-17000 price segment.
I actually posted chrono24 search results in this thread to compare the watches one can get, new and in gold case for $9000-13000 (watches can be heavily heavily discounted up to 30% and most people buy out of state to save on taxes) and the choices are really quite good. Lots of stylish watches with very nice movements from top brands, even a few classy looking watches from Breguet, Patek and Vacheron Constantins. There were some full gold bracelet Rolexes too.
But that's not actually a fair comparison, because almost all traditional watches that use gold case come with crocodile strap and matching gold buckle.
The gold buckle price is 17000+taxes, which brings the price to 18500, which means one can reasonably purchase watches in the $20-22k range (with discount and no tax).
In this range, you can usually get even some entry level Langes and some complications from Girard Perregaux etc.
This makes the 17k Apple Watch feel like a hopelessly overpriced junk, since watches in the 20-22k range have handmade movements made by artisans (although usually simple three hand watches) and will likely outlast the owner's lifespan.
They also usually come with much better watch boxes than the Apple Watch Edition.
Thus the Edition, except as a marketing ploy, is an incredibly confusing thing as a product.
It's priced unrealistically, perhaps intentionally to create a conversation.
I suppose apple probably could have proved it at 5000-7000 range and still made a great profit and the $20k+ watch buying crowd may have considered it (though personally I wouldn't, because the thing will be worthless in three years).
As a watch collector myself I agree with you 100%.
I have to disagree. Watches in this price range are handmade masterpieces that will perfectly function for decades. On the other side we have a fashion gadget.
Not so good at the moment... Looks like I'll be watchless today after all. # I ordered at freaking 12:03 people!!
Do any of you guys work in management or with management? What so ever?
Angela can do nothing without Cooks blessing. It all falls on Cook. He is the logistics mastermind also.
Angela is to keep the store running a tight ship and retail employees and customers happy. The decision to stock stores, or ship to customers all comes from Cook.
Angela has done a fine job, because all she has done is take the blame for her boss.
Angela can do nothing without Cooks blessing. It all falls on Cook. He is the logistics mastermind also.
Angela is to keep the store running a tight ship and retail employees and customers happy. The decision to stock stores, or ship to customers all comes from Cook.
Angela has done a fine job, because all she has done is take the blame for her boss.
Frankly I think she's done a superb job launching a product that's not only new to Apple but - more or less - new to the entire sector as well. Don't get me wrong, there's a ton of smart watches already out there but can anyone think of a product - not necessarily a watch - that's launched in this sort of quantity with this many retail packages with pretty much zero indication of expected demand AND is an entirely new product line with all the usual manufacturing challenges?
I'm looking forward to seeing what she does with Apple from here on out. It's clear that they're reaching a crunch point when it comes to the retail stores, if only because demand is such that the older ones (especially those in shopping centres) aren't really big enough to cope anymore. Figuring out what the retail experience should be and what services are offered will be a challenge and it'll be very interesting to see her solutions.
I'm looking forward to seeing what she does with Apple from here on out. It's clear that they're reaching a crunch point when it comes to the retail stores, if only because demand is such that the older ones (especially those in shopping centres) aren't really big enough to cope anymore. Figuring out what the retail experience should be and what services are offered will be a challenge and it'll be very interesting to see her solutions.
Online falls under her too......
Angela Ahrendts
Senior Vice President, Retail and Online Stores
Angela Ahrendts is Apple's senior vice president of retail and online stores, reporting to CEO Tim Cook.
Angela is responsible for the operation and expansion of Apple retail and online stores, which have redefined the shopping experience for hundreds of millions of customers around the world. Apple retail stores set the standard for customer service with innovative features like the Genius Bar, personal setup and one-to-one personal training to help customers get the most out of their Apple products.
Angela Ahrendts
Senior Vice President, Retail and Online Stores
Angela Ahrendts is Apple's senior vice president of retail and online stores, reporting to CEO Tim Cook.
Angela is responsible for the operation and expansion of Apple retail and online stores, which have redefined the shopping experience for hundreds of millions of customers around the world. Apple retail stores set the standard for customer service with innovative features like the Genius Bar, personal setup and one-to-one personal training to help customers get the most out of their Apple products.
She's putting more focus on Apple as a fashion company rather than a tech company. Which I guess makes sense since Apple is pretty much a fashion company now, to me it has been for quite a few years now. It's just as though they're only just beginning to realise this since she joined the team.
I'll say it again, it's a different discussion if the Edition competes well with those watches. My point was the Edition is going after that demographic. Those who complain about the price are mostly the types of, "$10,000 for a freaking watch!?" people miss the fact that's the demographic the Edition is going after.
As if the Edition can compete with others in that range, I agree it can't. Takes more than a gold casing to demand that price for the targeted demo to bite.
I think it's too early to tell how she will do, but I tend to agree with the new direction she is trying. Things have gotten to a ridiculous level with new Apple product launches, and Apple is trying to do something about it. The long lines for new products are awful. I'd much rather them be upfront about it. If you want it now, preorder. If you want to walk in and pick something up, come back later.
I know I was pissed off trying to get an iPhone 6 at a retail store. I must have gone in 12 times asking if they had any. In the end, I bought a 128Gb model (wanted 64) because I was tired of waiting. I'm not mad at Apple, though. They have 1000's of stores that they have to allocate stock to.
This new method is about tempering customer's expectations. Of course there are going to be hiccups and communication problems because it's a new avenue for Apple and their customers.
I know I was pissed off trying to get an iPhone 6 at a retail store. I must have gone in 12 times asking if they had any. In the end, I bought a 128Gb model (wanted 64) because I was tired of waiting. I'm not mad at Apple, though. They have 1000's of stores that they have to allocate stock to.
This new method is about tempering customer's expectations. Of course there are going to be hiccups and communication problems because it's a new avenue for Apple and their customers.
Angela Ahrendts - how do we think she's doing?
CNET has a good article
http://www.cnet.com/news/waiting-for-the-apple-watch-a-less-than-luxury-experience/
Which goes into a bit of detail on the philosophical and strategic shift Angela brings to the game... As head of both retail and online, it would seem at least for now, culpability for this overwhelmingly disappointing launch falls squarely on her shoulders. Marketing did what it normally does to gin up interest and hype it into the stratosphere, but it would seem both retail platforms have regressed in terms of efficiency... A try on without the satisfaction of purchase is to me an unfulfilling and overall negative experience.
While I appreciated the idea of a "wish list" for the online order, making that ordering process easier, quicker and more efficient for me, it seems clear that same efficiency did not carry over to Apple and their retail/distribution logistics since first in first out model seems broken and fundamentally they grossly underestimated initial demand, or even intentionally went to market with what they knew was a grossly inadequate supply.
For me, I wouldn't shed a tear if Ms Arendts was let go today. I need someone to blame for the current situation and I'm aiming primarily at her smug attitude right now
How about you?
CNET has a good article
http://www.cnet.com/news/waiting-for-the-apple-watch-a-less-than-luxury-experience/
Which goes into a bit of detail on the philosophical and strategic shift Angela brings to the game... As head of both retail and online, it would seem at least for now, culpability for this overwhelmingly disappointing launch falls squarely on her shoulders. Marketing did what it normally does to gin up interest and hype it into the stratosphere, but it would seem both retail platforms have regressed in terms of efficiency... A try on without the satisfaction of purchase is to me an unfulfilling and overall negative experience.
While I appreciated the idea of a "wish list" for the online order, making that ordering process easier, quicker and more efficient for me, it seems clear that same efficiency did not carry over to Apple and their retail/distribution logistics since first in first out model seems broken and fundamentally they grossly underestimated initial demand, or even intentionally went to market with what they knew was a grossly inadequate supply.
For me, I wouldn't shed a tear if Ms Arendts was let go today. I need someone to blame for the current situation and I'm aiming primarily at her smug attitude right now
How about you?
Agreed. Someone at Apple dropped the ball, and as far as anyone knows it very well could have been her.
I don't think you need to worry about her she is just fine. Your view of the launch might not be shared by many at Apple. They were always going to have a shortage of product because of manufacturing problems and too many choices of watch strap combinations. Handling it through on line ordering avoided long lines of unsatisfied customers.
I keep seeing people say that it has been disappointing, but they never explain why. I got both of my watches on Friday as advertised. The only thing I'm waiting on is an extra black sports band. Not sure what the hold up is there, but not really a huge deal.
How soon you all forget how awful her predecessor was...
How soon you all forget how awful her predecessor was...