A big reason for the lack of long wait lines is because Apple's retail org under Angela Ahrendts has been trying since 2015 to actively discourage that behavior

A big reason for the lack of long wait lines is because Apple's retail org under Angela Ahrendts has been trying since 2015 to actively discourage that behavior [1], and they have SUBSTANTIALLY better control over their supply chain now than they did 10 years ago. Tim Cook has been quoted as saying inventory is "fundamentally evil" [2], which is the main driver behind that change. [1] https://www.businessinsider.com/angela-ahrendts-says-a-significant-change-in-mindset-to-launching-apple-watch-online-2015-4 https://www.businessinsider.com/angela-ahrendts-says-a-signi... [2] https://money.cnn.com/2008/11/09/technology/cook_apple.fortune/index.htm https://money.cnn.com/2008/11/09/technology/cook_apple.fortu...