Apple Retail Stores see strong sales growth in Q3 2013, most successful MacBook Air launch yet

Part of the Apple Q3 2013 earnings call was dedicated to the Retail Stores, and on the whole it turned out pretty well for the quarter. Retail Stores saw strong growth in sales throughout, and saw their most successful MacBook Air launch to date thanks to the new Haswell machines unveiled at WWDC. The key figures:

• $4.1 billion for retail stores in the quarter, average per store of $10.1 million
• Total estate now stands at 408 stores, with 156 outside of the U.S.
• 6 new stores opened across the globe, with 9 more to open in the next quarter, total 27 new openings in Fiscal 2013
• Total of 23 store relocations taking place throughout 2013
• 84 million total visitors for the quarter, average of 16,000 per store

The Apple Retail Stores remain a strong performer, no doubts in part to offering a customer retail experience unlike any other mainstream stores out there. Stores remain busy, with massive footfall on a weekly basis, and new store openings like the recent one in Adelaide, Australia (pictured here) continue to create massive buzz and draw huge crowds.

In a world where more and more retail purchasing is moving online, it's truly impressive to see the Apple Retail Stores continue to post impressive numbers. This creates a particularly poignant point to myself, coming from the UK. In recent months and years our high streets have seen a number of high profile casualties, including electrical retailers, falling foul of the tough economy and going out of business. Apple products are still generally speaking premium items, and yet their stores are always full and their numbers continue to impress. Their retail environment shows no signs of slowing down.

Of course, it goes beyond just selling hardware, the local Apple Store is a one-stop-shop for all your Apple needs, be that purchasing, repair work, training programmes, even live appearances from musicians, writers, general celebrities. It's a true customer experience, and long may it continue, and long may it continue to succeed.