iSTYLE opens the first Apple Premium Partner store in Hungary
iSTYLE store located in the Árkád shopping center in Budapest is the first Hungarian store to be included in Apple's new retail program
Budapest, February 2, 2023 – iSTYLE’s first Apple Premium Partner (APP) store has welcomed its first customers in the Árkád shopping center in Budapest. The second Apple Premium Partner brand store in the Central and Eastern European regions brings to the nation the shopping experience of the iconic Apple Store and represents a completely new level of customer service.
The APP iSTYLE store located on the ground floor of the Árkád shopping center in Budapest is the first Hungarian store to be included in Apple’s new retail program. Based on the new concept, the store has been renewed in a larger area than before and is waiting for Apple fans with many novelties. The floor area of the showroom has increased to 125 sqm where even more employees, technical service and advanced product support services are waiting for those interested in the clean, friendly environment, familiar from Apple.
“The opening of our new Apple Premium Partner store marks the beginning of a new era for us: in the renewed store, a design similar to that of Apple Retail Stores, a spacious well-lit interior awaits the brand’s customers, and our highly trained and increased number of sales staff ensures the outstanding customer experience and satisfaction” highlighted Csaba Gyarmati, Regional Director of iSTYLE.
The Apple Premium Partner program concept differs from the previous Apple Premium Reseller approach which provided Apple’s partners with a uniform design and operational framework. Building on that concept, with the new Apple Premium Partner stores, Apple’s goal is for customers to get even closer to the brand’s iconic technology landscape and to receive even higher quality service.
What new features does the iSTYLE store in Árkád bring?
- Renewed design in line with Apple style
The design of the store was created by a team of designers specialized in Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino. All equipment comes from Apple’s direct suppliers, the stone floor from Italy, the designer rounded tables from the USA and the furniture from Germany. Another special feature is that the store will be able to function without a physical cash register in the near future.
- Products available immediately
In Apple Premium Partner stores, the display of Apple products and Apple accessories is even more important than before. The number of closed showcases is reduced to a minimum, so customers can easily try out the products displayed on open surfaces without the help of the staff.
- Device servicing – within one day
In the flagship store, customers are welcomed with continuous servicing, so the staff can even undertake an iPhone screen replacement or battery replacement on the same day.
The range of payment solutions is also expanding, in addition to the Easy Upgrade payment services and the iSTYLE Comfort service packages, customers are also provided with a product credit scheme and a used equipment offsetting service.
- Expert staff and workshops
In the store, instead of the usual five people, eight employees who have received exclusive Apple Premium Partner training help to serve customers smoothly. The Apple Premium Partner store concept also provides regular free education and open workshops for the general public. The courses starting in the spring offer topics such as MacOS work for beginners, tips and tricks for advanced Mac users, and video editing.
- Highest level customer service, continuous corporate consulting
In parallel with outstanding service, iSTYLE elevates its offerings by catering to the need of entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized businesses with exclusive deals. Dedicated staff, specialized in corporate users and experienced in financing corporate hardware, are in-store to serve corporate clients.
In 2022, iSTYLE Hungary Kft. excelled with sales revenue compared to the previous year, mainly due to a strong increase in consumer sales. Renewal and expansion of the store network also continued, as a result of which iSTYLE now welcomes customers at nine stores in four cities across the country – Budapest, Győr, Debrecen and Szeged. In the future, in addition to the opening of additional stores, plans include converting several iSTYLE brand stores into Apple Premium Partner stores.
More about iSTYLE
iSTYLE, an affiliate of the Midis Group, is the largest network of Apple Premium retail stores in nine countries in Central and Eastern Europe. The first iSTYLE store was opened in 1999, and currently the company has 57 stores located in Central and Eastern European and 19 in the Middle East and North Africa. The network of Spanish sister company K-Tuin consists of another 33 stores, totaling up to more than 100 stores for the Midis Group.