At Apple Inc's new store in Manhattan, the smiling "geniuses" and "concierges" standing at attention are as important as the iPods and Mac computers on display.
The store, Apple's second-biggest in the United States, has an entire floor dedicated to customer service and technical help, a key focus for the company and one that has helped drive sales growth. There are more than 200 stores in five countries and Apple said in October it planned to open about 40 outlets in the next year, including its first in China.