Roger Fingas
Missing rumored launch dates by a wide margin, Apple's first South Korean store now appears set to open in Seoul on Jan. 27. [Updated with Apple confirmation]
The date and specific location of the shop — Garosu-gil, a Gangnam-based luxury shopping district — has been plastered on the construction facade, according to a forum post. Hours and other official details are still unavailable.
A December report suggests that Apple missed not one but two targeted opening dates, Nov. 30 and Dec. 30. To meet the second date, construction crews were allegedly working nights and weekends, even though the store would already have missed the lucrative Christmas shopping season.
Apple first announced plans for a Seoul store in January 2017, but revealed little else at the time. The Garosu-gil outlet could span 13,960 square feet across ground and basement floors.
The company is likely hoping the store will improve the popularity of the iPhone in Korea. The device has a following, but local electronics giants Samsung and LG are firmly entrenched.
The forum post was first spotted by 9to5Mac.
Update: Apple has confirmed the Jan. 27 date with an official webpage. The outlet will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.
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2 Comments
I lived in Seoul for a year. Several knock-off Apple stores there. And yeah – home to Samsung headquarters... But Koreans do love some shopping.
Ultimate Gangnam style!