Mark Gurman, reporting in his Power On newsletter for Bloomberg:

Apple prepares a retail store shake-up with a renewed focus on a dedicated Genius Bar and revamped pickup and classes areas…

Here’s what Apple has planned:

New and upgraded retail stores will feature three major changes: a revamped Avenue — the sections along the sides where accessories and Apple services are featured — a return to dedicated Genius Bars, and the removal of the giant video walls found in many locations.

The changes begin with two new Avenue sections: one for online pickups and another for its Today at Apple hands-on sessions. Right now, many stores have a dedicated pickup table and a large seating area for the Today at Apple workshops. Those functions will move to the sides of stores within 10-foot sections known internally as bays…

There are currently giant video walls at the back of many stores, which use them for Today at Apple sessions and marketing videos. This concept dates back to Angela Ahrendts’ tenure leading retail and reflected her vision of Apple stores as community landmarks and gathering places. The company is now moving away from that approach and refocusing its stores around more traditional and practical retail, service, and fulfillment functions.

In many stores, Apple will replace the video walls with dedicated Genius Bars, marking a return to a familiar element from an earlier era. The design resembles the Genius Bars of the past but with an all-wood look. There will be two counter heights for accessibility, while the wall behind the bar will include storage drawers and large posters highlighting new products.

The current post-Ahrendts Apple Store design is abominably dysfunctional for everything people want to do in stores: look at new products, buy something, pick up an order, or get support. There’s no central place where employees are stationed; they loiter around the store with their iPhone terminals, waiting for customers. Near the doors, a “triage” employee asks why you’re in, say, to check you in for an appointment or get your order ready for pickup. When you want to buy something, you must flag an employee down, which is easier said than done, since they’re all always busy. If you’re getting support or checking out, employees have nowhere to go except the product tables themselves, so you’re always in the way of someone who just wants to use the display units. It’s completely disorganized chaos.

The Ahrendts strategy was to get people in the stores to sit down, chat, learn about their devices, and buy something new. Everything from the large screens at the back of most stores — which are used for Today at Apple lessons — to the accessories wall where people can try on new cases, watch bands, and AirPods feels like it’s meant for casual shopping. People are supposed to find an Apple Store on the street, come in, and have a good time. Unfortunately, Apple Stores are not coffee shops, and everyone is almost certainly there for a reason. People picking up orders want to be in and out as soon as possible. People shopping for new devices want personalized help without feeling rushed or disoriented. People who have a Genius Bar appointment want to be in and out quickly in a separate part of the store without getting in others’ way. Hardly anyone is at the Apple Store to have a good time anymore.

I’m glad Apple is rethinking this process to give everyone what they want. Pickup orders are getting their own section, and the Genius Bar is coming back. This will make the shopping experience much more efficient for people who actually need to speak to a sales employee, while making the stores feel less crowded. Internally, I suppose there was some backlash to axing the large screens because they’ve become iconic pieces of the stores. I’m relieved saner heads prevailed: Almost nobody attends Today at Apple sessions, and the rest of the time, a significant part of the store is occupied by a seating area nobody can actually use. (Genius Bar representatives won’t station themselves there because there are no tables.) Stores that sell computers worth thousands of dollars will never be community centers.