Apple Store Down Ahead of Retail’s 10th Anniversary [Updated]

Amid rumors of Apple preparing something big as 10 full years have passed since the opening of its first retail store, the company’s online storefront has been taken offline, either for regular maintenance, or to be updated with enticing hints for a rumored May special event.

Earlier this week, the Apple blogosphere quoted sources as saying that Apple was planning an event for its 10th retail anniversary. Apple’s retail turns ten this Thursday, May 19th, whereas the rumored event is allegedly planned for May 22 (Sunday).

According to people in a position to know, “There’s an overnight shift planned for around 10-15 individuals at each Apple Store to work from late Saturday all the way through mid-Sunday.”

This will happen not only in the United States, but all across the world where Apple Retail Stores exist, according to a person from Australia who claims to have learned new info:

“This Saturday (21st), all Australian (at least) retail stores will under go visual merchandising from 6pm – 6am (22nd). A sheet will be raised to prevent any one seeing inside, and from 6am – 10am, all apple retail staff will participate in a compulsory meeting. Something big? VM is rarely so private, and is never followed by an all staff meeting.”

The event will reportedly be centered around the phrase “Apple Store 2.0” in what would suggest Apple is planning to revolutionize retail yet again, though we wouldn’t hold our breath for this particular announcement.

According to the original leak mentioned a few paragraphs above, store managers have had to download gigabytes of data from Apple corporate.

Labeled “training,” the data is reportedly stored in a password-protected zipped folder and will not be accessible to anyone until Saturday afternoon, when the stores close.

Should we hear of any new developments, you’ll be the first to know. In the meanwhile, use the comments to share your thoughts about Apple’s potential plans with the ten-year anniversary of its retail stores.

Update: the Apple store is back online with no visible changes.