[snogglethorpe]

Sony stores, of course, way predate Apple stores. [I first saw them in the '80s, but who knows...]

Sony's a bit lost these days (post playstation, the death of founder Akio Morita, and their move into "content"), but back in the day Sony stores were everything that Apple stores are today: Cool and laid-back, located in the most fashionable part of town, with a spare stylish vibe and spare stylish products, intended as much to set a tone as to sell stuff.

Indeed I would not be surprised if Sony stores were the original model for Apple stores.