Apple opens all its US stores

The iPhone maker has expanded its 'Express' format, a wall built in front of the main store for sales, to ensure business continuity amid the pandemic

An Apple logo hangs above the entrance to the Apple store in New York City store. The company's all 270 US stores are open for the first time since the pandemic. Reuters

Apple said on Monday all its 270 US stores have been opened, the first time in almost a year after it was forced to shutter several outlets because of Covid-19 pandemic.

The company has been cautious in reopening its retail stores, using a team that includes medical experts to make its own calls on a county-by-county basis and sometimes shuttering stores again when local rules would otherwise allow stores to operate.

The iPhone maker has also expanded its 'Express' format, a wall built in front of the main store with sales counters protected by plexiglass and a few shelves of accessories such as phone cases and AirPods.

Apple closed all shops and offices outside Greater China in March as the Covid-19 pandemic spread around the world. However, it began reopening some of stores in the third week of May last year, as countries gradually eased restrictions.

Retail store closures have not affected its pace of product launches. The company launched new smartwatches, iPads, iPhones and subscription services.

Apple reached a $2 trillion (Dh7.34tn) market capitalisation in June last year, almost double its value just two years earlier.