Apple store takes a bite into Sydney

George Street is expected to be the apple of Sydney-siders' eyes today with the opening of Apple's first retail store in Australia.

With two floors filled with Macs and iPods and a third floor dedicated solely to service, this is Apple's first retail store in Australia.

"We are thrilled to bring the unique Apple retail experience to Australia," said Ron Johnson, Apple's senior vice president of retail. "This breathtaking new store will be the ultimate place for the people of Sydney to shop, learn and be inspired."

The George Street store is staffed by 125 locally hired specialists and creatives and also includes Pro Labs, which offers free training on Apple's professional creative applications for digital photography, music production and video editing. Sydney's Apple Store is equipped with 80 Macs and 60 iPods for customers to experience hands-on.

Since the first Apple store opened in May 2001, 350 million people worldwide have visited the stores which are located in six different countries: Australia, the US, UK, Japan, Canada and Italy.

Apple fans from interstate are also reported to have flown to Sydney for the opening.