Contrary to reports in various local publications today, Apple will not open an Apple Retail Store in Dubai. What we will see launch in the Mall of the Emirates on March 16 is a store dedicated to Apple products from Virgin Megastore. Contrary also to Virgin Megastore’s claims that it will launch “the first Apple […]
Contrary to reports in various local publications today, Apple will not open an Apple Retail Store in Dubai. What we will see launch in the Mall of the Emirates on March 16 is a store dedicated to Apple products from Virgin Megastore.
Contrary also to Virgin Megastore’s claims that it will launch “the first Apple shop” in the Middle East, Dubai already has stores that sell only Apple products although they are not official Apple Retail Stores. The most recent one was launched by Dubai-based distributor MediaCast on Jan 30 at the PalmStrip Mall in Jumeirah.
Magnus Nystedt, Group Editor of GameWorld, Macworld and PCWorld clarified to BroadcastPro ME that Apple fans in the region have been yearning for this to happen for years and if it were true, it would be welcome news.
“However, I was bit sceptical when I first heard it and my sources weren’t able to confirm it. Apple is just establishing its own presence in the region with offices in Abu Dhabi for the first time and although we’re not sure what exactly their operations here will entail, it should be taken as a sign of the growing importance of the Middle East to Cupertino.
“Middle East Apple customers are still not offered the same range of products and services as in other parts of the world. The best example of that is that fans cannot purchase music, movies and TV content with regional iTunes accounts. Only apps for iPhone and iPad are available for purchase and download. Other examples include that stores in the region have no Genius Bar, a hallmark of official Apple Stores, and Apple’s extended warranty Apple Care is not sold in the Middle East,” he added.
