For the launch of the new Apple Store in Tokyo, American Gary Allen, who publishes ifoAppleStore, flew to Japan where he was one of twelve overnighters huddled in the rain before the doors swung open at 10 a.m. on Sunday, November 30. When the first person entered the store, "It was the most energetic and exciting welcome in the history of Apple's retail stores! The chanting, yelling and applause from the Apple employees was deafening!" (I'm not making this up; read his diary.)

I'm not sure what the message is here. But the level of detail about these stores -- physical layouts, construction materials, product placements, staff arrangements, consumer behavior, etc. -- is absolutely staggering. If you're involved in retail real estate as a broker, developer, investor or corporate director, you'll pick up some cool ideas on building a state-of-the-art retail presence.

For example, Apple, like "other major retailers," uses ShopperTrak to provide analysis of foot traffic. ShopperTrak "uses optics and video technology to track customer entries into the store, and movements around portions of the store, and then produces data -- columns of numbers -- that provide insights into customer traffic patterns." But it does not capture video pictures. So Big Brother (supposedly) is not watching. Or did he really see me in Chicago a month ago at the Apple Store on Michigan Avenue?

Spread the Word... Many thanks to software consultant Eva Freud and Realize Solutions for sponsoring the PikeNet Dispatch this week. I appreciate it! If you would like to reserve your spot for next year, send e-mail or call me at 415-485-6700.

--Peter Pike / ppike@pikenet.com