I must be getting old - how does an Apple Store work?

Yes, they do have handheld payment terminals. It’s all very fancy and high-tech.

Actually taking a paper number is - but there are plenty of places where I sign in on a tablet or something and either get a number that will be called or my name will be called or I get a text message when it’s my turn.

The person who retrieves your item will complete the transaction with a hand held device.