The gloss appears to be disappearing from Apple Stores with the company late on Friday night announcing that they have laid off 1,600 staff and that revenues have fallen from an average of $7.1 million per store to $5.9 million per store.
Apple Australia is refusing to disclose whether any staff has been laid off on our shores. Mid last year Apple opened a multimillion dollar showcase store in George Street Sydney however a staff member on Saturday did say that revenues were lower than what had been forecast when the store opened.
Apple has laid off the 1,600 retail staff, despite posting profits of A$1.7 billion in its second quarter. Revenue for the Apple stores topped $20M Apple, who now have 252 stores compared to 208 in 2008, said that it still plans to open an additional 25 new shops including some in Australia during 2009.
In Australia several the retail operations of several major companies have failed including IBM, Compaq and in the past Apple.
