Apple Store to Open in the US... IT Giants Like Apple and Google Also Begin Normalization Efforts

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] As U.S. state governments begin phased economic reopening, IT giants such as Apple and Google are also starting to resume normal operations. Some Apple Stores in certain regions have reopened, and office operations are resuming primarily for essential personnel.

The economic media outlet CNBC reported on the 8th (local time) that Alphabet, the parent company of the world's largest search engine Google, will partially reopen offices starting in June.

Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet, stated in an email sent to employees the previous night that starting as early as June, only 10-15% of employees will be allowed to return to the office. The employees who will return first are essential personnel whose job nature requires them to be physically present in the office.

However, CEO Pichai added, the majority of employees who can work remotely will continue to do so for a longer period, saying "it might even last until the end of the year."

Apple will also open Apple Stores next week in some states including Idaho, South Carolina, Alabama, and Alaska. However, safety measures such as mask-wearing and temperature checks will be implemented, and the number of customers inside the stores will be limited.

Apple currently operates 271 Apple Stores in the United States and 510 stores worldwide. When the COVID-19 pandemic spread, Apple closed all Apple Stores worldwide except in Greater China starting in March, but began reopening some stores in certain countries starting with the Garosu-gil Apple Store in Korea on the 18th of last month.

CNBC evaluated, "The reopening of stores is a sign that the company's business is slowly returning to normal."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.