Apple Hiring for Future Retail Store in United Arab Emirates

MacRumors · Aug 15, 2014

Apple today posted retail job listings for a future store to be located in the United Arab Emirates, indicating that the company may be soon opening its first store in the Middle East. The postings were initially spotted by ifoAppleStore and show typical openings for Specialists, Creatives, and Experts, as well as managerial positions for Store Leader and Market Leader. The report speculates that the store could already be under construction for an opening in February 2015 based on hiring schedules.

Earlier this year, Apple CEO Tim Cook visited the UAE, posing for photos at various Apple resellers and meeting with UAE Prime Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. While the reason for his visit was unknown, it is possible that Cook may have been meeting with officials about the possibility of an Apple Retail Store in the region.

Additionally, MacRumors received a tip last year that Apple was planning to open a flagship store at The Galleria in Sowwah Square in Abu Dhabi, a luxury mall that opened late last year. The source claimed the store would not open for several years, but noted that it could be Apple's largest retail store to date.

Article Link: Apple Hiring for Future Retail Store in United Arab Emirates

One Bad Duck · Aug 15, 2014

Does this mean Gold iPhone 6 confirmed?

farewelwilliams · Aug 15, 2014

man, can you imagine if Apple started to fail, how many stores are going to close.

Mr Fusion · Aug 15, 2014

Would be an odd choice to put their first store in AD. Dubai is the economic center and most populous city.

By law, all businesses must be owned (on paper) by a UAE national. Perhaps this was a sticking point that kept Apple out of the country until now.

Jsameds · Aug 15, 2014

I'm surprised they're not there already, to be honest.

iDento · Aug 15, 2014

Way overdue IMO! Millions of people there with endless cash, no debts!

LadyX · Aug 15, 2014

Finally!! I've been waiting for this news. We have authorized Apple resellers here but an official Apple retail store will be much better. But I would've liked if they opened the store in Marina Mall instead of The Galleria.

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Mr Fusion said:
Would be an odd choice to put their first store in AD. Dubai is the economic center and most populous city.

Well since you're looking at it from this point of view, Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE and the largest of the seven Emirates. It is also the largest oil producer and the wealthiest Emirate of the UAE. What I'm trying to say is, so what? What's so odd about opening an Apple retail store in Abu Dhabi? And regarding the population, Abu Dhabi's population is at 2.4 million. Dubai's around 2.1M. But does it really matter? No.

vito · Aug 15, 2014

LadyX said:
Finally!! I've been waiting for this news. We have authorized Apple resellers here but an official Apple retail store will be much better. But I would've liked if they opened the store in Marina Mall instead of The Galleria.

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Well since you're looking at it from this point of view, Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE and the largest of the seven Emirates. It is also the largest oil producer and the wealthiest Emirate of the UAE. What I'm trying to say is, so what? What's so odd about opening an Apple retail store in Abu Dhabi? And regarding the population, Abu Dhabi's population is at 2.4 million. Dubai's around 2.1M. But does it really matter? No.

Pretty much this, a large majority of UAE business is conducted in AD and with it being the focal point of the UAE it makes sense for the first of many stores to start there. Dubai is very tourist focused, having worked out there and visit regularly. I use to email Jobs often asking for a Dubai Apple Store, excited its going to happen!

Would be economically beneficial for a Dubai store at Dubai Mall which I think will happen at some point.

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Mr Fusion said:
Would be an odd choice to put their first store in AD. Dubai is the economic center and most populous city.

By law, all businesses must be owned (on paper) by a UAE national. Perhaps this was a sticking point that kept Apple out of the country until now.

There are freehold areas in both AD and Dubai now with many being setting up

LadyX · Aug 15, 2014

Apple Hiring for Future Retail Store in United Arab Emirates

vito said:
Pretty much this, a large majority of UAE business is conducted in AD and with it being the focal point of the UAE it makes sense for the first of many stores to start there. Dubai is very tourist focused, having worked out there and visit regularly. I use to email Jobs often asking for a Dubai Apple Store, excited its going to happen!

Would be economically beneficial for a Dubai store at Dubai Mall which I think will happen at some point.

I'm positive of that as well. I think they'll start in Abu Dhabi then expand to a second Emirate (Dubai). Though I'm pretty sure they won't be opening an Apple retailers in the other five Emirates.

jundi93 · Aug 15, 2014

Finally!! This should have been done a long time ago but better late than never I guess

I hope they open in other Middle East countries like Jordan <3

newyorksole · Aug 15, 2014

farewelwilliams said:
man, can you imagine if Apple started to fail, how many stores are going to close.

I've thought about that before, but I mean ... Staples, Best Buy, Radio Shack etc etc have tons of stores too .

Although Apple is a special case . They're approaching 500 stores I think Lol . Kinda crazy .

Mr Fusion · Aug 15, 2014

LadyX said:
Well since you're looking at it from this point of view, Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE and the largest of the seven Emirates. It is also the largest oil producer and the wealthiest Emirate of the UAE. What I'm trying to say is, so what? What's so odd about opening an Apple retail store in Abu Dhabi? And regarding the population, Abu Dhabi's population is at 2.4 million. Dubai's around 2.1M. But does it really matter? No.

You should troll harder...

Population:
- Dubai (Emirate): 2.1M, it's a much smaller territory than the Emirate of AD and most all of them live in the city proper.
- Abu Dhabi (City): 921K.

Ever been to Abu Dhabi? It's about as stale as month-old bread, feels empty and lifeless. Dubai's the opposite, bustling with people and traffic at all hours.

Dubai attracts more tourists and transit passengers too.

So I dunno... MAYBE just maybe it'd be a wise move to put the Apple Store in, say, the world's most visited mall (Dubai Mall) than in a new retail outlet in a city fewer people live in and even fewer visit.

Just sayin'.

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vito said:
There are freehold areas in both AD and Dubai now with many being setting up

... And one has to do with the other because... Things?!?

LadyX · Aug 15, 2014

Mr Fusion said:
You should troll harder...

Population:
- Dubai (Emirate): 2.1M, it's a much smaller territory than the Emirate of AD and most all of them live in the city proper.
- Abu Dhabi (City): 921K.

Ever been to Abu Dhabi? It's about as stale as month-old bread, feels empty and lifeless. Dubai's the opposite, bustling with people and traffic at all hours.

Dubai attracts more tourists and transit passengers too.

So I dunno... MAYBE just maybe it'd be a wise move to put the Apple Store in, say, the world's most visited mall (Dubai Mall) than in a new retail outlet in a city fewer people live in and even fewer visit.

Just sayin'.

Are you serious?? Abu Dhabi is stale and lifeless? You've got to be kidding me! Wow. You know nothing, absolute nonsense. Abu Dhabi is no different than Dubai. AD draws the same amount of international tourists if not even a few more than Dubai.

Figures released by Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority showed that last year over 2.8 million guests checked into Abu Dhabi's 150 hotels and hotel apartments; a rise of 18% on 2012. And around 3.2 million visitors are expected this year.

If Abu Dhabi is "as stale as month-old bread, feels empty and lifeless" as you have stated, then I would admit that point-blank. But I had to disagree with you because it's not how you described it at all.

Abu Dhabi’s population passes 2.4 million and is growing by the minute

http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/general/abu-Dhabi-population-tops-2-5m-in-2013-1.1184986

Oh and I don't troll and I don't like trolls.

Punkwaffle · Aug 15, 2014

Terrible idea. Why would Apple, a progressive company, want to open a store in a country that was built on and still uses slave labor and oppresses women, gays, and other minorities?

They have enough money.

LadyX · Aug 15, 2014

Punkwaffle said:
Terrible idea. Why would Apple, a progressive company, want to open a store in a country that was built on and still uses slave labor and oppresses women, gays, and other minorities?

They have enough money.

And the ignorant start to speak. Plus, what you just said is completely irrelevant.

RoyalElephant · Aug 15, 2014

Oh yeah Apple, put stores in the UAE and not the Republic Of Ireland despite their being big demand for one.

"Republic Of Ireland? THEY DON'T HAVE ELECTRICITY OVER THERE!" -Apple's attitude towards the situation, despite having it's EU HQ in R.O.I for tax reasons.

I really want an Apple Store for my country.

ricci · Aug 15, 2014

Good move! These people and visitors to this region are of money and plenty of it! I go their, nice upcoming city! We stopped selling the Hummer, they still buy and love it! Luxury is king and always have been! Perfect fit! I'm sure every kid has a maxed out Mac Pro for their first comp!!

Mr Fusion · Aug 15, 2014

LadyX said:
Are you serious?? Abu Dhabi is stale and lifeless? You've got to be kidding me! Wow. You know nothing, absolute nonsense...

...Oh and I don't troll and I don't like trolls.

Contradicting statements are contradicting.

LadyX · Aug 15, 2014

Mr Fusion said:
Contradicting statements are contradicting.

Do you actually know what "trolling" means? And I don't understand this post of yours. What do you mean?

Jsameds · Aug 15, 2014

Punkwaffle said:
Terrible idea. Why would Apple, a progressive company, want to open a store in a country that was built on and still uses slave labor and oppresses women, gays, and other minorities?

They have enough money.

Thought they already operated in America...

weckart · Aug 15, 2014

Punkwaffle said:
Terrible idea. Why would Apple, a progressive company, want to open a store in a country that was built on and still uses slave labor and oppresses women, gays, and other minorities?

Pecunia non olet

motwera · Aug 15, 2014

Do people here not know that they already technically established their presence there by the name of iStyle?
Yes, there is such thing is a smaller, more compact version of the Apple store
And this news means that they will expand even bigger than before there, since retailing there is not going to fail since it has been proven that people there like the brand.

LadyX · Aug 15, 2014

motwera said:
Do people here not know that they already technically established their presence there by the name of iStyle?

Yes, there is such thing is a smaller, more compact version of the Apple store

And this news means that they will expand even bigger than before there, since retailing there is not going to fail since it has been proven that people there like the brand.

Yes but iStyle is just an authorized reseller, not an official Apple store. Completely different.

LordJohnWhorfin · Aug 15, 2014

LadyX said:
And the ignorant start to speak. Plus, what you just said is completely irrelevant.

He seems to be quite well informed. Plus, it is absolutely relevant.
Actually, considering their abysmal record on human rights and more specifically on LGBT rights, I find it offensive that Tim Cook would even visit that place. Source

fedup flyer · Aug 15, 2014

LadyX said:
Are you serious?? Abu Dhabi is stale and lifeless? You've got to be kidding me! Wow. You know nothing, absolute nonsense. Abu Dhabi is no different than Dubai. AD draws the same amount of international tourists if not even a few more than Dubai.

From a party standpoint, they are not the same.
AD is a little more traditional while Dubai looks the other way on certain things.
Why do you think a lot of guys that work for EY were moving to the Jebal Ali marina area.
Oh yeah, I lived in Al Ain for two years.

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ricci said:
Good move! These people and visitors to this region are of money and plenty of it! I go their, nice upcoming city!

You must have only seen the tourist side of Dubai.

Apple Hiring for Future Retail Store in United Arab Emirates

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