Apple Thoughts: Apple Lays Off 50 Employees, or Have They?

"Despite many other companies releasing employees during the current economic situation, Apple always stated they had no plans to show any employees the door. But now it seems that for both business and financial reasons, they've had to let 50 employees go, according to CNET News."

CNET refers to two reports by ValleyWag and 9to5mac that state 50 employees were laid off. An entire sales staff in Austin, TX and several at the Apple Campus in Cupertino, CA were the casualties of "business and economic" problems. This was denied by Apple, even though several sites were reporting similar information. The start of this bagan last year when Apple de-emphasized the direct enterprise sales force in favor of using resellers and channel partners to get the products out there into the hands of businesses. It appears to be working as this recent article in Apple Thoughts noted.

On the Apple Store side of things, they seem to be cooking right along. According to www.ifoAppleStore.com, Apple is planning a 2nd store in Scotland, a new store in the Boston area, have started construction on a 5th store in Toronto, and are close to getting plans approved for the Georgetown store. Oh and don't forget the recently opened Greensboro, NC store.