Apple needs a new retail strategy

Its CEO is stepping down, and the iPhone, its most important product, is in a major slump. That’s bad news for Apple in the near-term — but a major opportunity for the Apple Store to take on an even bigger role for the company.

Apple (AAPL) built its stores to be the ultimate showroom for its latest products. Potential customers can go test out each Apple device. But that model faces a major challenge: iPhone sales fell 15% last quarter. People aren’t buying as many Apple devices, and they’re holding onto their old gadgets for longer than in the past.