Saddle Creek Apple Store to move, debut possible changes for retail chain

One of Apple’s “next-gen” Apple Store retail locations will debut near Memphis in the near future.

The Saddle Creek Apple Store location in Germantown will move, pending project approval.

Early plans for the new store, located to the east of Memphis, were approved by the local design review commission last week. In his presentation, Apple representative Rick Millitello called the project “the next generation of retail store that we’re rolling out,” saying it would be one of the first of its kind in the U.S.

The current Germantown location is one of Apple’s oldest retail stores and was the 20th opened by the Mac maker overall.

Millitello described the new retail design as having”a matte granite reinforced panel on the exterior wall as well as natural oak tables inside. The storefront is expected to have a changeable display with living plants, TV displays, artwork, and more. It will be located inside the same shopping center, at a new location.

Back in February, it was revealed that Ive and Ahrendts are working together on a complete overhaul of Apple’s retail stores. The two apparently hope to utilize a different approach than the past, making the stores better suited for selling the fashionable Apple Watch.

Famed Apple designer Jony Ive was recently named Apple’s Chief Design Officer, a role which will see him relinquish day-to-day oversight of industrial design and allow him to take on a wider array of projects. Among the tasks in which Ive will take on a greater role is the redesign of Apple’s retail stores.

Subtle changes to Apple’s retail experience have already begun to take effect. For example, in July Apple Stores began carrying products with new retail packaging with a “premium” feel co-designed by Apple itself.

If you’re down in Tennessee and have a chance to check out the new location and its changes, let us know what you make of it in the comments.

Via AppleInsider and 512 Pixels