At least one Apple Store in the UK expects an unusually high number of visitors during the fall and festive period of next year, which is expected to include the launch of the iPhone 15 series.

Apple Milton Keynes employees have been told they will not be able to take a vacation from September 15, 2023 to October 7, 2023, and from December 2, 2023 to early January 2024. During this embargo period, permission requests will not be forwarded without the approval of the store managers. With the release of new Apple devices, especially new iPhone models in the fall, and retail store traffic always expected to increase during the holiday season, the latest instruction looks like a clear change in protocol in the region.

Apple generally prohibits taking time off just before new device launches and holiday periods, and this is often communicated directly to employees at short notice through Apple’s internal communications program. The latest change, banning vacations nearly a year ago, was announced more discreetly in a locally published memorandum.

Store managers say the instructions came “from the store,” but retail employees aren’t sure exactly where the order originated in Apple’s corporate hierarchy. The change was presented to staff in “high speed moments” as a change to “make sure we’re better equipped for next year”.

It’s unclear how widespread the new order is, but the dates appear to have been discriminated against, possibly in anticipation of new Apple devices launching in the second half of next year and increasing attendance during the holiday period.

It’s unlikely that there’s a firm launch date for the iPhone 15 series yet, as the devices will likely have to pass validation testing before a mass production schedule can be approved. With all that said, it should be noted that Apple’s retail business is locked in a very early date, i.e. at the end of next year, when the dates that are likely to be related to the launch of new devices.