A timeline of Apple's retail stores
2001. Apple opened its first two retail stores on May 19, 2001, at Tysons Corner, Virginia, and in Glendale, California. Many commentators predicted they would struggle. The stores were designed around hands-on use, with products on open tables rather than behind glass.
2001 to 2002. The Genius Bar, an in-store support counter, became a signature feature. Apple expanded steadily across the U.S.
2003. The first store outside the U.S. opened in Tokyo's Ginza district. London's Regent Street flagship followed in 2004.
2006. The glass cube entrance on Fifth Avenue in New York opened on May 19, 2006, and quickly became a landmark. It operates around the clock.