According to China Real Time, Apple is planning its fifth store in China, to be located at Nanjing Road. It will be the third store in Shanghai, joining two stores in Beijing.
Ron Johnson, Apple's senior vice-president of retail, reportedly revealed that the company's stores in China are now visited by more than 40,000 per day, which is four times the average traffic Apple retail stores in America see. Because of that, the company is now looking to build bigger stores that can accommodate customer interest.
The company had previously revealed plans to open up 25 retail stores in China, but Johnson indicated the openings may occur slower as Apple revises its plans and concentrates on bigger stores.
Apple executives revealed in January that its stores in China now attract the most traffic in the world, and also earn the highest revenue. At the time, Apple had a total of 323 stores worldwide, with 87 of them outside the U.S.
Johnson revealed years ago that Apple discovered its stores were too small, resulting in an initiative that has resulted in new locations being at least three table widths wide. Apple also intends to focus on creating more "significant stores" that attract attention, like its flagship location in New York City which is covered by a glass cube.
Apple's retail store opened in Shanghai last July similarly features a stand-out entrance with a massive glass cylinder. When the company began its initial push into China, executives said they were more focused on building the Apple brand in China than achieving strong sales right off the bat.
10 Comments
And yet the "city-state" of Hong Kong which incidentally is the region's financial centre where literally EVERYONE has an iPhone 4 still doesn't have a single Apple Store.
Toronto is Canada's largest city and it's a large market, yet all we have here are mall locations. There are 4 stores in shopping malls in Toronto and they're always packed.
There was talk of Apple opening a store on Bloor St. (Toronto's 5th Avenue / Michigan Av.) but that was years ago.
Anybody know anything?
And yet the "city-state" of Hong Kong which incidentally is the region's financial centre where literally EVERYONE has an iPhone 4 still doesn't have a single Apple Store.
So I guess it doesn't need one anymore?
And yet the "city-state" of Hong Kong which incidentally is the region's financial centre where literally EVERYONE has an iPhone 4 still doesn't have a single Apple Store.
same with Taiwan. the place where most of the iphone and mac parts are produced and innovated, there isn't even one Apple store. Lots of certified resellers though...
I was in Shanghai on business in December and visited the Apple store, it is very impressive although a bit out of the way in Pudong. The new store will be located on East Nanjing Road which is the main shopping district. Having said that Pudong is a wealthy area, the shopping mall behind the Apple store had watches on sale costing 1.3M RNB ( £130,000 ).
Some pics,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomapnocompass/5231201518/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomapnocompass/5231206012/