{"id":6412,"date":"2026-08-05T19:12:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T19:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=6412"},"modified":"2026-08-05T19:12:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T19:12:00","slug":"apple-gears-up-for-september-iphone-launch-with-retail-employee-lottery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=6412","title":{"rendered":"Apple gears up for September iPhone launch with retail employee lottery"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<div>\n<p><strong>By Mark Gurman, Bloomberg<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>With Apple Inc. gearing up for its biggest product launch of the year, the company is opening a lottery for US retail employees who want to help staff the in-person unveiling.<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=6410\">Ex-Antioch mayor says federal prosecutors plan to indict him on criminal charges<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The lottery allows retail employees to apply to work the event, where they\u2019ll help organize lines, check in guests, greet attendees, offer directions and support the security teams, according to a memo that was seen by Bloomberg News.<\/p>\n<p><strong>RELATED:\u00a0Apple\u2019s new CEO taps retired hardware executive for management team<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The launch event will take place during the first half of September, the company told staff, without providing a more specific date. Historically, Apple\u2019s iPhone presentations have taken place on the second Tuesday or Wednesday of that month.<\/p>\n<p>Since Labor Day in the US falls on Monday, Sept. 7, a Wednesday event appears slightly more likely, as it would preserve the workday travel window Apple has historically provided for attendees.<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=6408\">Google AI leader leaves, Demis Hassabis to be chair in seismic moves<\/a><\/p>\n<p>In the memo, Apple said it was \u201cexcited to offer US store team members the opportunity to participate in the Event Support Experience Program.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A spokesperson for the Cupertino, California-based company declined to comment.<\/p>\n<div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Apple has relied on retail employees to help staff major product launches for years. Workers who participated in either this year\u2019s Worldwide Developers Conference or last year\u2019s iPhone launch aren\u2019t eligible for the upcoming program. Interested employees must apply by Aug. 8, and Apple will notify those selected by Aug. 17, according to the memo.<\/p>\n<p>This year\u2019s September event carries added significance. It will be the first major product unveiling under Chief Executive Officer John Ternus, who is set to take over from Tim Cook on Sept. 1. The company is expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone \u2014 as well as the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, new Apple Watch models and other hardware.<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=6406\">Court says fishermen\u2019s claim in lobster defamation suit against Monterey Bay Aquarium raises First Amendment questions<\/a><\/p>\n<p>More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com<\/p>\n<p>\u00a92026 Bloomberg L.P.<\/p>\n<div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The lottery allows retail employees to apply to work the event, where they\u2019ll help organize lines, check in guests, greet attendees, offer directions and support the security teams.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6411,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6412","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - 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