Thanks to the folks at Jezebel and RACKED a lot more people than usual read our account of visiting the smothering, newly renovated SoHo Banana Republic, and naturally, a few of them had something to say in response.
From Emma:

I worked at Banana for a soul-crushing two weeks some time ago, and I promise you, most of those sales staff would like nothing better than to leave you alone. But the managers (of which, like you said, there are ALWAYS too many of) stand around doing absolutely nothing, just watching the sales staff and how they interact with customers.

From VA:

HA HA, i've worked in Banana Republic for years and know exactly what being pressured into modeling a behavior that you know will actually turn customer off rather than "welcome them in" feels like.

Of course, there is always the contrarian, who sounds suspiciously defensive of Banana Republic, like Christophershawn:

The store is beautiful and I found it refreshing that the staff was excited about it's opening. YES it's rude, lacks class and any sort of maturity to enter a store with headphones on. Stay home. shop online. Going shopping is about engaging with people and enjoying the EXPERIENCE. Retail is lacking true excitement, passion and inspiration a store. Apathy is so common.
I thank the team at this store for the amazing energy they brought into this gorgeous store, I look forward to making this a must visit when in SOHO.

Seriously, Christohershawn, it's kind of up to the customer to decide what shopping is all about. Perhaps you have read too many books about retail management. And by the way, do you think that we can't smell a plant or a shill from miles away? We wish you the best of luck with your career at Banana Republic.
Previously:
Renovations Unveiled: Banana Republic Will Welcome You To Death

In anticipation of Apple's Upper West Side Store opening this Saturday, the red-curtain window coverings have been removed to reveal in interior that looks like ...an Apple Store.
Seriously, since this is Manhattan's fourth unit, we are probably all pretty familiar with what's inside one of these things by now, and we are not expecting any major surprises here. The main thing we are excited about is that it's close to us, and also, the more Genius Bars there are in the city, the better. The sidewalk in front of the store is now once again open for the public to trod upon, and the dramatic glass storefront offers a clear view of exactly what's inside. The patented spiral staircase leads to a lower level, and as you can see above, the signature glowing Apple logo is suspended in a way that echoes Fifth Avenue's glass box entryway.
In the past, the promise of free merchandise like iPods, or even a few laptops for a lucky few has encouraged shoppers to stand in line all day for an evening opening. So far, we have heard no reports of such giveaways this time around (which doesn't necessarily mean that there won' be any), and the store will be opening in the morning, so the promotion machine appears to have been dialed down just a bit.
Nonetheless, we are still expecting a mob scene on Saturday. Brace yourselves.
UPDATE: It turns out that there will be giveaways after all. The first 2,500 customers will get a free commemorative T-shirt. No purchase necessary.
That's a t-shirt, folks.
Line up if you must.
Apple's Upper West Side 1981 Broadway at 67^th Street

So, we found ourselves walking past the newly reconfigured Banana Republic in SoHo at what must have been only moments after its soft opening began (the store officially opens on Thursday).
Honestly, we almost didn't go in —not because we are so very jaded that we don't care. The Shophound is always curious, but we know what it's like on the first day. Everyone is raring to go and they are so glad to see you! It can be a bit off- putting to say the least, but the folks at the new Banana have taken customer smothering to new, disturbing heights.
Let us note that the store was filled with more than overeager sales staff. It was also crawling, predictably, with Banana Republic executives who were standing around in typical fashion, either congratulating themselves on their beautiful new store or poking around the place making sure that every piece of merchandise was placed just so —the cuffs and collars on all the hanging shirts turned up at the correct angle, and every faced out coat paired with a suitably coordinated sweater and scarf. It's a salesperson's nightmare —like having 20 managers at once. It puts staff on their best selling behavior, which, paradoxically, is often, at the same time, their worst.
Was it rude for us to enter the store wearing earphones? Probably, but we weren't going to power down our iPod just to wander around a Banana Republic. You would think an observant salesperson would know how to approach someone with earphones who is clearly keeping to himself. It's not like they are a rarity in the iPod age, but we were stunned by how many people eagerly wanted to engage us in conversation even though our ears were obviously otherwise occupied. One determined woman launched into a whole story about how it was a soft opening and the store really was opening on Thursday and something about a charity shopping event and just wouldn't stop even after we looked at her funny,  pulled one earphone out and said, "Okay, thanks". She mostly succeeded in interrupting a perfectly enjoyable edition of the "This American Life" podcast. Of course, she was nothing compared to the effusive gentleman greeting everyone coming and going at the door with wide swinging arms. "Thank you for choosing Banana Republic," he chimed as we exited while yet another person thanked us for visiting their new store at the same time. There are store managers who will maintain that anyone who complain that too many people said hello to them are just cranky. We would counter that there is always the possibility of too much of a good thing, and salespeople shouldn't confuse engaging a customer with just talking at them. Of course, there are exceptions. We could let the gorgeous kids at Hollister say "Hey! Whatsup?" to us all day long if we could stand the disgusting perfume that store pumps out onto the sidewalk, but that is a special, gimmicky case.
As for the renovated store itself, it is an upgraded, glamorized version of the chain that has been subdivided, department store style, into smaller boutique-like sections, some devoted to the Heritage label or the more luxurious Monogram collection. This would be the store's outstanding modification. If you think the chain has downsized by combining its men's and women's stores into a single unit, think again. An entire second floor as been added for menswear, whose large shop a half a block away is about to be repurposed by The Gap.
The overhauled Banana should be safe to visit in a few weeks when everybody there calms down a little bit. In the meantime, be prepared, for better or worse, for an onslaught of attention.
Banana Republic 550 Broadway between Prince & Spring Streets, SoHo

The Holiday season typically brings a whole series of temporary gift markets that pop up all over town, the most notable being the ones at Grand Central Terminal, Union Square and Columbus Circle. This year, The Brooklyn Flea has a hipper alternative in the works with Gifted, which will be taking over the Annex section of what used to be Tower Records at Lafayette and West 4^th Streets. Those of us who are too provincial to bother schlepping out to Dumbo or Fort Greene will now have the city's preferred flea market conveniently located in NoHo for about a month starting on November 27^th, Black Friday.
Gifted promises about 50 vendors including a special corner which will be curated every week by Lucky magazine. We hear there is still room for a couple more vendors, but those signed up reportedly include Lotta Jansdotter, Thistle + Clover, and Brooklyn Brew Shop among many others. Come at the right time and there will be beer and music.
If this whole thing works out, maybe we can get them to come in more often just for us lazy Manhattanites.
Brooklyn Flea Brings Its Holiday Market to Manhattan (The Cut)
Gifted November 27^th through December 24^th at 20 East 4^th Street at Lafayette Street, NoHo

Anyone who missed The Limited's four day return to Manhattan last month (like us, for example) can rest easy because the pop-up store on Spring Street where Hogan used to live (whatever happened to Hogan, anyway?) has been extended through December as a result of overwhelming response. Since its opening, the temporary store has been one of the best performing units in the chain.
The Limited!
Go figure.
Perhaps absence has made the hearts of Manhattanites grow fonder, but, frankly, we barely noticed it had been missing for 10 years, which is why its parent company, Limited Brands, practically gave away sold a majority stake in its namesake division to Sun Capital Partners a couple of years ago. Sun now has the task of turning around a once powerful chain that had become irrelevant enough to put into retail foster care.
So what does The Limited look like today?
Not half bad.
Proving the chain's relevance will be an uphill battle in a crowded market with a penny pinching customer base. The chain now has to compete with the Zaras and H&Ms of the world, and a Topshop ready to further invade its home turf, but a revitalized design team seems to be working hard to make the store appealing again. If what's in the pop-up is any indication, they're doing an admirable job with the revamped Limited looking fresh, on-trend and well priced, putting it way ahead of most mall chains. Apparently, the challenge of being the underdog has revitalized it. Along with the chain's private labels Forenza and Outback Red, The Limited has even revived one of the staples of its '80s heyday, the brightly colored shaker knit sweater. We're a little on the fence about this idea. Anyone who was around then can easily recall the late '80s glut of shaker knit sweaters as the popular item replicated itself throughout the mall, though that might give the item just enough nostalgic camp appeal to stage a comeback.
There's talk that if things go well, The Limited might stay on Spring Street permanently. We think they are better suited to a Broadway location a few blocks away, to be honest, but so far the chain has done an unexpectedly good job earning its comeback.
The Limited NYC Pop-Up through December 28^th (for now) 134 Spring St., between Wooster and Greene Streets, SoHo
Previously:
Limited Unloads The Limited...For Less Than Nothing.

As if to quell rampant speculation, Apple has announced via massive email that its upcoming Upper West Side Store on Broadway at 67^th Street will open at 10 AM on Saturday, November 14^th, not, as some had speculated, the following Friday evening. We're happy because this means it will be open sooner! So far, no word on any special opening day events, but we'll keep an eye out.
Apple Store Upper West Side 1981 Broadway at 67^th Street
Previously:
Apple West Side Store Update: Does Soon = November 20th?

As if we haven't written enough about UNIQLO this week, we wouldn't want to miss telling you that the SoHo flagship has received a surprise replenishment of the +J collection designed by Jil Sander direct from Japan to satisfy everyone who missed out on the best pieces last month.
The one caveat is that because the goods are from the Japanese stores, they are in smaller Japanese sizes which may be cut slightly differently.
Most people don't realize it, but UNIQLO has different production runs specifically cut for its New York, London and now Paris stores. To make your shopping easier, the store has posted handy size translation charts over the newly replenished +J racks (pictured above), and recommends careful trying on before you buy.
Back in the store are such long gone items as woven shirts for men and women, men's tailored jackets and pants. Many women's separates, knitwear and sold out outerwear pieces for both genders have also returned, so if you weren't quick enough to get what you wanted the first time, here's your second chance (especially if you are on the petite side).
The easiest way to discern the Japanese sized items from the Western ones? Check the hangtags. The Japanese ones will be mostly written in...you guessed it...Japanese!