Apple is opening a lottery for U.S. retail employees to staff its next major product event, bringing store workers into preparations for the company's biggest launch of the year. An internal memo viewed by Bloomberg invited U.S. retail employees to enter a lottery to help staff the in-person event. Retail employees have supported major Apple Events for years, so the staffing program itself isn't new. A foldable iPhone raises the stakesBloomberg expects Apple to introduce its first foldable iPhone alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected in September, while reports have placed the standard iPhone 18 in early 2027.