Samsung Opens New Apple Store in Australia

While the jury debates the merits of the arguments made in the Apple-Samsung patent battle, let’s throw this one out to the court of public opinion.

Samsung this week opened its first retail “Experience” store in Sydney, Australia and its design and ethos, even in the most generous light, bear an uncanny resemblance to those of the Apple Store (photos here). The airy, spartan layout and open floor plan. A dedicated customer support desk staffed by “Samsung Smart Tutors” that recalls Apple’s Genius Bar. A group demonstration area. The broad, rectangular wall displays. Clean lines. Blue T-shirts for all store employees.

Now, to be fair, Samsung’s corporate color is blue and there are only so many ways you can design a retail experience. That said, it seems difficult to look at Samsung’s store and not immediately be reminded of Apple’s understated chain of brick-and-mortar retail stores which, at the time it debuted, was considered pioneering. And it’s awfully hard to imagine that the similarities between the two won’t further bolster Apple’s allegations that Samsung is a “copyist.”

Samsung did not respond to a request for comment.