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Apple's largest retail store yet, and its first in the Middle East, is on track to open in Dubai's Mall of the Emirates this summer, a new report reveals.
The new Apple Store is expected to open in August of 2015, according to Khaleej Times, citing unnamed sources. The retail space is expected to be about 50,000 square feet in total, with a main entrance on the second level of the mall's new Fashion District.
Word of Apple's United Arab Emirates store was first revealed last year, but with the anticipated opening fast approaching, details are beginning to solidify. It is also expected that a second UAE Apple Store will open in Abu Dhabi's Yas Mall at some point in the future.
Mall of the Emirates is a 2.4-million-square-foot mega-mall that is home to over 700 retail stores. It also features Dubai's famous indoor ski resort.
While it lacks a brick-and-mortar retail presence, Apple has maintained an online store in the UAE since 2011. Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook paid a visit to the country last year, visiting with UAE Prime Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in Abu Dhabi.
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11 Comments
Looks like a neat interior for an Apple Store ;-)
Soon to be Apple's highest grossing store
[quote name="Red Oak" url="/t/186310/apples-50-000-square-foot-retail-store-in-dubai-to-open-in-august#post_2724534"]Soon to be Apple's highest grossing store[/quote] Very likely true.
I'm not entirely sure about that. Population of Dubai only around 2 mill.
And some of those are foreign workers, unlikely to be shopping for any Apple products.
Compare that to the highest grossing Apple store in the world, which is fifth ave last I heard. The population of New York State is ten times larger, at 20 million, NYC is around 9 million, and with a ton of tourists visiting. Also, it being 24-7-365 gives it an advantage over other Apple stores, since it's generating sales around the clock.
[quote name="Apple ][" url="/t/186310/apples-50-000-square-foot-retail-store-in-dubai-to-open-in-august#post_2724560"] I'm not entirely sure about that. Population of Dubai only around 2 mill. And some of those are foreign workers, unlikely to be shopping for any Apple products. [/quote] You miss the immense tourist traffic. This is the world's largest shopping Mall (/centre for readers in UK).