Because often it isn ' t ' only a 5 min purchase '. People go to the Apple Store because it remains one of the only places where you can spend some time with someone who ' s going to recommend a product based on having learned about you and what you need even if you didn ' t know it yourself , and isn ' t going to try and upsell for a commission because there isn ' t any . That and the fact that stores usually have events going on and often stock exclusives before they ' re released to other retailers means it ' s a nicer place to spend time even when it ' s busy than your local Currys UK electronics store or Best Buy . That ' s kind of the vision behind the new stores we ' re seeing these days they ' re supposed to be ' more than a store ', and be a focal point in their communities . Sounds a bit Disney , but clearly something in that strategy ' s working out for them the store on Regent Street averages footfall of about 13 , 500 people a DAY .