As brick and mortar retail suffers, Apple hopes to boost its 495 stores with new classes

Physical retail, particularly in the United States, is in crisis, with many big brand names announcing massive layoffs, store closings, and bankruptcies.
However, some high-end specialty retailers, such as Apple, have managed to buck that trend with stores that emphasize unique experiences in addition to the opportunity to buy stuff.
The company announced today that it now has 495 stores around the world. That includes the latest one in Dubai. And in a continuing effort to find ways to pull peop