Apple’s new store opened on Saturday July 10th, in the heart of Shanghai’s financial district on Saturday with the retail outlet featuring a 40-foot glass cylindrical wall, located near the famous Oriental Pearl Tower. Apple Inc. opened its first China store in 2008 in Beijing. Apple products are currently sold in China through resellers; this is the company second direct-selling outlet.
Apple’s new Shanghai retail Store
We are thrilled to open the first of many new stores in China in this incredible location. The Apple Store Pudong will be the ultimate place for the people of Shanghai to shop, learn and be inspired,” said Ron Johnson, Apple’s senior vice president of retail.
The step comes from Apple at a time when other tech companies such as, Google have had to scale back their operations in China in the face of heavy government regulation and intervention. But the Apple bosses have realized that Chinese economy has been growing rapidly for more than two decades and the country has now a flourishing middle class who do not mind paying some extra money for quality products. China Unicom is the only mobile operator to sell the iPhone in China, although rivals such as China Mobile have previously expressed interest in offering the smartphone.
Apple’s new Shanghai retail Store-Arial View
Analysts suggest that this move from Steve Jobs and his team is good decision, as most consumers in China have little scope to buy products like iMac or iPad from a genuine dealer. They have to depend on the underground sellers and this is not good for either Apple or the consumers.
According to a press release, Apple Inc is planning to open around 25 stores in the next 24 months. So, it is clear that the Chinese people will see more of Apple products from now on.
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