How Apple Uses Location Tracking to Improve Retail

If you preorder an item at an Apple Retail Store from the iOS Apple Store app, you may find employees are already fetching your item as you walk in the store. It might seem creepy at first, but it really cuts down on the time you're waiting to have your preordered item fetched, and it's actually pretty cool.

When you order through the iOS App, it uses iOS 5's new check-in feature to wait until you're at the Apple Store. It then tells the employee assigned to your order that you've arrived, and what you ordered. Within a few minutes of arriving, they may already have your item, without you even needing to ask for it.

Those concerned about privacy don't need to worry. All this does is help employees be prepared to get your products to you faster. But, if you don't like the feature, you can disallow the Apple Store app from using your location. Honestly though, it's a cool feature of the app, and it makes picking up preordered items easier and quicker than ever.
via CultOfMac