Tim Cook Heads Back to China as Retail Presence Nearly Doubles

MacRumors · Jan 8, 2013, 08:38 AM

Bloomberg reports that Apple CEO Tim Cook is in the midst of a return trip to China, some ten months after his last trip to meet with government and business leaders.

Quote:

Cook today met Miao Wei, head of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, to talk about the development of China's information technology industry, global mobile communications and Apple's business in China, according to a statement posted on the ministry's website.

The report notes that Apple has nearly doubled the number of its retail stores in China and Hong Kong since Cook's last visit, having opened five new stores for a total of 11 company-owned stores in the region.

Apple's new Wangfujing retail store in Beijing

Cook's schedule for the remainder of his visit has not been released, although The Next Web notes that U.S. embassy Chief of Staff Jim Scuitto posted a Tweet revealing that Cook had met with U.S. ambassador Gary Locke.

There will also undoubtedly be speculation that Cook may be seeking to finalize an iPhone deal with China Mobile, the world's largest carrier and the only one of China's three major state-owned carrier to not officially offer the device. Cook had visited the carrier's headquarters in June 2011, but no deal has yet been announced amid continuing negotiations.

China Mobile is reportedly losing traction with 3G customers as rivals China Telecom and China Unicom have made inroads, with many believing that China Mobile's lack of the iPhone is a major weakness for the carrier.

Article Link: Tim Cook Heads Back to China as Retail Presence Nearly Doubles

yod · Jan 8, 2013, 08:43 AM

A meeting at Foxconn's factory to discuss the whole "doubling down" on secrecy might help...

Joe-Diver · Jan 8, 2013, 08:44 AM

Cook and Nixon.....China bound!

MonkeySee.... · Jan 8, 2013, 08:46 AM

The picture of the Wangfujing retail store in Beijing is stunning.

What a store!

gregwyattjr · Jan 8, 2013, 08:53 AM

I wonder why that iPad billboard is in english...

Navdakilla · Jan 8, 2013, 09:00 AM

Once Apple takes over China. Checkmate

Prof. · Jan 8, 2013, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregwyattjr

I wonder why that iPad billboard is in english...

Because China has more english-speaking citizens than America has citizens.

SmileyBlast! · Jan 8, 2013, 11:06 AM

It'd be great if he could find some alternate suppliers. But more suppliers means expanding that circle of trust and More leaks. It'd be a good strategy to be able to take business away from one supplier in favor of the one who will not release Apple secrets though.

Glassed Silver · Jan 8, 2013, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregwyattjr

I wonder why that iPad billboard is in english...

Pretty much anyone able to afford the iPad in China knows English.
Either as mother tongue, tourist or "rich kid" (in relation to the rest of China).

Glassed Silver:mac

Caliber26 · Jan 8, 2013, 12:37 PM

I wish Apple would build one of those big, iconic stores here in Orlando. I'm so jealous of Asia, Europe, and NYC.

Vinamra · Jan 8, 2013, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonkeySee....

The picture of the Wangfujing retail store in Beijing is stunning.

What a store!

Things money can buy!

iMikeT · Jan 8, 2013, 09:06 AM

Makes sure those Foxconn workers are being treated properly while you're there Timmy.

JHankwitz · Jan 8, 2013, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iMikeT

Makes sure those Foxconn workers are being treated properly while you're there Timmy.

On average, 11,000 workers are injured and 13 are killed on the job every day in America according to OSHA, and you're concerned that Tim Cook is personally making sure that Foxconn workers are being treated properly? Good grief!

pantss · Jan 8, 2013, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonkeySee....

The picture of the Wangfujing retail store in Beijing is stunning.

What a store!

AidenShaw · 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pantss

Image

Image

Am I the only one who looks at that as a failed attempt at using traditional Chinese architecture with Apple's tired "it's all glass" look, marred with a "Times Squarish" giant LED ad screen.

It's horrible. It's truly dreadful. Apple has lost its way....

The night shot is kind of cool though - since all the other crap disappears.

pantss · Jan 8, 2013, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AidenShaw

Am I the only one who looks at that as a failed attempt at using traditional Chinese architecture with Apple's tired "it's all glass" look, marred with a "Times Squarish" giant LED ad screen.

It's horrible. It's truly dreadful. Apple has lost its way....

The night shot is kind of cool though - since all the other crap disappears.

I was there in december when they were still setting up. Don't mind the slanted photos - those were random hip shots and my hands were freezing off

To be honest I didn't recognize the 'official' photo until I read 'wangfujing'.

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by AidenShaw

Am I the only one who looks at that as a failed attempt at using traditional Chinese architecture with Apple's tired "it's all glass" look, marred with a "Times Squarish" giant LED ad screen.

It's horrible. It's truly dreadful. Apple has lost its way....

The night shot is kind of cool though - since all the other crap disappears.

and oh. there's a samsung billboard right across the road. if you look at the night shot carefully you'll see the reflection of SAMSUNG on the right side of the photo. lol.

MonkeySee.... · Jan 9, 2013, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pantss

Image

Image

Thanks for posting. Looks great.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AidenShaw

Am I the only one who looks at that as a failed attempt at using traditional Chinese architecture with Apple's tired "it's all glass" look, marred with a "Times Squarish" giant LED ad screen.

It's horrible. It's truly dreadful. Apple has lost its way....

The night shot is kind of cool though - since all the other crap disappears.

What are you talking about. The building is stunning and they've done a great job on the corner of the street.

Such a nice looking store. Jobs would have loved it.

bazinga!! · Jan 8, 2013, 09:06 AM

China Mobile=

ryuok · Jan 8, 2013, 09:11 AM

Tim is there to find out what happened to his egg fried rice order.

Jan 8, 2013, 08:44 AM	#3
Joe-Diver macrumors regular Join Date: Aug 2009	Cook and Nixon.....China bound! __________________ 24" iMac Aluminum; 17" uMBP (mid 09); 32Gb iPhone4;16Gb iPod Nano 6g Green; 2Gb iPod Shuffle 2g; ATv2
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Jan 8, 2013, 08:46 AM	#4
MonkeySee.... macrumors 68040 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: UK	The picture of the Wangfujing retail store in Beijing is stunning. What a store! __________________ iMac - iPhone - iPad - Apple TV - AirPort Extreme Phil Dunphy: Always keep the rhythm in your feet and a little party in your shoulders.
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Jan 8, 2013, 08:53 AM	#5
gregwyattjr macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2008	I wonder why that iPad billboard is in english... __________________ I'm happy, hope you're happy too
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Jan 8, 2013, 09:00 AM	#6
Navdakilla macrumors 6502a Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Canada	Once Apple takes over China. Checkmate __________________ New convert, and never turning back!!!
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Jan 8, 2013, 11:06 AM	#8
SmileyBlast! macrumors 6502 Join Date: Mar 2011	It'd be great if he could find some alternate suppliers. But more suppliers means expanding that circle of trust and More leaks. It'd be a good strategy to be able to take business away from one supplier in favor of the one who will not release Apple secrets though. __________________ Smiley Blast! game play video http://youtu.be/N0QD4KS5Ccw Like this:http://facebook.com/smileyBlastGame Follow: http://twitter.com/smiley_blast Buy This: http://appstore.com/smileyblast
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Jan 8, 2013, 08:43 AM	#2
yod macrumors newbie Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: London	A meeting at Foxconn's factory to discuss the whole "doubling down" on secrecy might help...
	2

Jan 8, 2013, 12:37 PM	#10
Caliber26 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Orlando, FL	I wish Apple would build one of those big, iconic stores here in Orlando. I'm so jealous of Asia, Europe, and NYC. __________________ My happiness is measured by the battery percentage displayed on my iPhone.
	0

Jan 8, 2013, 09:06 AM	#12
iMikeT macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: California	Makes sure those Foxconn workers are being treated properly while you're there Timmy.
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Jan 8, 2013, 09:06 AM	#18
bazinga!! macrumors member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Belgium	China Mobile= __________________ 13" MBP late 2011 thunderbolt display iPhone 4S 16gb white iPod nano 6th gen iPad mini
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Jan 8, 2013, 09:11 AM	#19
ryuok macrumors regular Join Date: Feb 2011	Tim is there to find out what happened to his egg fried rice order.
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