Ah, yes, another blog about Apple. You must know by now that I’ve been a Macintosh user since they were introduced in 1984. Back then I was more interested in the technology than their retail side, which was nonexistent. Now I carefully watch what goes on in each Apple Store I visit because, like their computers, Apple is setting the pace for consumer retail.

The company’s 201 stores were recently redesigned again. This is the third or fourth redesign I can recall, and each one improves on the rest. Now the checkout registers are completely gone from customers’ sight; staff carries wireless scanners/registers that complete the sale on the sales floor and either email the receipt or beams it to well-hidden printers.

All of the Macs, iMacs, iPods, iPhones and other product are on tables that invite immediate exploring by grown-ups and kids alike. Each computer is connected to the Internet, and each music player is preloaded with content. It’s a gadget lover’s nirvana.

Ultimately, though, the stores wouldn’t work without the so-called “concierges” who attach themselves to customers. I’ve found almost all of them to be knowledgeable about every product in the store. If they can’t answer a question, they’ll find someone who can. They are eager (sometimes too eager) and polite, unlike many of the sales staff at big-box consumer electronics stores. Obviously, some excellent training is going on.

It’s paying off for Apple, because more than 100 million visitors came in during its fiscal year that ended in September. They contributed $4.2 billion in revenue, up about 24 percent from $3.4 billion the last fiscal year.

Maybe Apple’s concierges and wireless scanners aren’t your retail style, but you sure can learn from them. Can your salespeople answer all of your customers’ questions? Do they treat your customers courteously, without the condescending tone I’ve seen too far often in retail? Are they willing to go the extra mile for your customers – and for you?

Think about it. You don’t need to look like an Apple store. But you can embrace the way they treat customers as a core value.