Economy isn't slowing Apple's building plans

— -- The company said Wednesday that it plans to remodel 100 of its stores this year, to make more room for customer training and displayed products. Additionally, it will open 25 new stores, including a fourth location in New York City, and new ones in Paris, Italy and Germany.

"We know that a lot of people are cutting back, but we're doing the opposite," says Ron Johnson, Apple's senior vice president of retail. "We're investing in the downturn."

The company, which saw a 3% decline in sales of Apple computers in the most recent quarter, plans face-lifts for older stores to emphasize customer-service programs.

Some 170 million folks visit Apple Stores yearly.

New tables will enable "twice the amount" of Mac computers and other products to be on display, Johnson says. Apple's beloved Genius Bar, offering free tech support for Apple products, will have 50% more room, he says.

Apple's One to One subscription program will see major changes. Currently, anyone with $99 can sign up for a year of unlimited training on Apple computers and products.

But beginning June 2, Apple will limit sign-ups to people who buy new Mac computers at Apple Stores or via its website. Additionally, any of the 500,000 current One to One subscribers can renew.

"We originally set up One to One to get people to switch to the Mac," Johnson says. "Now we want to expand it to make it even more relevant to people who have bought their Mac."

Still priced at $99, the annual subscription includes personal setup, transferring of files from an older computer (Windows or Mac) and help with projects.

In the past, sessions timed out at one hour; now the limit is three hours, but sessions might also include up to three participants.

Despite the expansion, Johnson concedes that the recession has affected in-store traffic. It's still strong, he says, but not as big as last year, when long lines greeted the introduction of the second-generation iPhone.