Apple rumored to open first Austrian store in Vienna

If it goes through, the shop should occupy a three-floor space previously home to clothing retailer Esprit, Der Standard said on Wednesday, quoting sources in real estate broker circles. Contracts are allegedly being finalized, but the newspaper didn't say when the Apple Store might open its doors.

In fact Der Standard speculated that an Apple reseller might take the space, but few such companies can afford a three-floor outlet, much less in an area like Kärntnerstrasse.

The cost of real estate on the street is said to be very high, responsible for Esprit's departure and creating a tough barrier to many other companies.

Despite the ever-growing reach of Apple's retail chain — which has hundreds of locations worldwide — a number of European countries still lack Apple Stores. Some other examples include Norway, Poland, Portugal, and the Czech Republic.