[doug1001]

i believe this is the first time (at least within the last several years or so in which a new iteration of the MBP MacBook Pro has been announced ("launched") but not available in the Apple Store the same day.

so...the only way to purchase one is by ordering it online.

interesting to compare total sales within first seven days after launch for the past half dozen MBP updates/iterations; that's the relevant metric in my view, comparing online orders across MBP updates is misleading.

from the interview w Apple's Marketing honcho discussed in the OP, is this quote:

"I have never seen a great new Apple product that didn’t have its share of early criticism and debate — and that’s cool. We took a bold risk"

this sort of reflexive response suggests that he hasn't actually listened to the criticism.