Apple May Take Bite Out of Valley's Retail Space

PHOENIX-Apple Computer is looking for retail sites in the Valley to build its first stores, a spokesperson for mall owner Westcor Partners has told GlobeSt.com. Apple reportedly is eyeing sites throughout the nation, as part of plan to establish a chain of company-owned stores.

Apple Computer is looking at spots in the Scottsdale Fashion Square, which is at the corner of Scottsdale and Camelback roads, and Chandler Fashion Center, which is under construction and has a projected opening date of October. Both malls are owned by Phoenix-based Westcor.

Industry analysts expect Apple to open stores in major metropolitan areas across the nation in time for holiday shopping to justify the move. The stores might hold little inventory and just serve as demonstration and ordering centers, say analysts. On the other hand, he stores could mimic retail outlets established by Gateway Computer, which have been a critical success for the computer assembler.