Late last week, Bloomberg released a report describing some of the planning going on in the Apple retail division to prepare for the launch of the Apple Vision Pro headset, previously announced as available in the US “early next year.”
The report states that Vision Pro will be sold by appointment only, at least initially. Customers will be assisted by Apple retail staff to get a Vision Pro with the appropriate headband and light seal to ensure a proper fit.
No Apple product has ever had such a complex rollout.
Appointments will be mandatory for retail purchases. A designated area within the store will be allocated by Apple to facilitate headset demos and sizing tools to aid customers in selecting the right headset and accessories. Initially, the device will be available for purchase in major cities such as New York and Los Angeles before expanding to all Apple stores in the US.
The logistical complexity is a consequence of the vast array of accessory choices. Apple will provide a wide variety of headband and light seal sizes. Stores need to keep a large inventory of "try-on stock" and spares, in addition to purchasable stock, to cater to customers who wish to buy multiple headsets. Apple stores will also need to have Carl Zeiss prescription lenses available in their inventory. According to Bloomberg, Apple stores may require hundreds or even thousands of lenses in stock at any given moment.
The top strap, which is still being developed, is intended to improve comfort for users with smaller head sizes. Apple is looking into collaborating with accessory makers to make pouches for the external battery pack, in order to support a variety of clothing.
With these factors in play, it becomes even more challenging for Apple to deploy Vision Pro outside of their stores. The report says Apple does not anticipate selling Vision Pro in third-party retail locations at least until 2025.
Customers will also have the opportunity to purchase online. A face scanning app is in the works at Apple to help users select the right size of light seal for their face. During checkout, users will be required to upload a facial scan and provide their eye prescription information if they wear glasses and need corrective lenses for the headset.
Vision Pro will only be available in the US during launch. Apple has pledged to expand to more countries by the end of 2024. According to Bloomberg, Canada and the UK are the most probable first choices for expansion, with Europe and Asia to follow.
Buying a Vision Pro headset is likely to be a complex process