Apple Prepares to Open Its First Retail Stores in Spain

[z4n3]

Back to topic

The reason for these locations I feel are due to shortage of real estate property available in the city centers (MAD and BCN atleast) and also maybe these guyz help Apple out

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivanhoe_Cambridge

They bought the Mall from Mills Corporation

 

[jmmo20]

Guys. Let's please stop this OT discussion right here right now.

Spain is a great country. I not only love the weather, and I have to because Spain is my number one holiday destination for almost 40 years now, but the culture and people of Spain too. This despite the fact that not too many people speak English, but things are changing.

And I won't comment anymore on discriminating issues, because let be realistic: Isn't there something bad to say about any country? Well? I think so.

All in all. Reading news about upcoming Apple Stores in Spain is fantastic news. Should be front page news. And I mean that.

Saludos Amigos

Yep, it's fantastic news. I'm glad you enjoy your holidays in Spain.
If you've been coming for 40 years then you must be astonished as to how much the country has changed in recent years. Heck, I'm 27 and I'm surprised myself at how much things have changed in the last 15 years. Having myself been living abroad for 5 years (in the UK), I can say that I noticed the difference from the Spain I left in 2000 and the Spain I returned to in 2005.

Oh and about the telephone lines, now that there is a crisis, it takes just one day, lol. I moved to a new flat in February, called Telefónica on a Sunday, and the tech guy called me on Monday morning to come that very same day to get the trio installed (tvip, adsl, and tel).

Now back to the topic, the fact that Apple decided to open Apple stores here is a huge step forward. For many years spanish customers have been in a disadvantage. Not only did Apple not have a formal, official presence in the country, but also the network of authorised dealers left much to desire. There are even a region in Spain, the Canary Islands, where you cannot even buy appel products from the online store, because of a special tax regime that imposes a goods custom between Spain mainland and the Islands (funny thing; you can courier a parcel from the UK to Barcelona and it won't go thorugh any customs, but send it from Barcelona to the Canary Islands and it needs to go through customs: pay the tax difference, and pay the customs office fee).

And in regards to my fellow spaniard that lives up there in northern Europe, I would say that the big problem now in Spain is that the whole country has advanced loads, but the way of doing things and the way to make business hasn't change that much from the Franco years. We need a renewal of entrepeneurs, a renewal of CEO's.. and that takes years. We'll start to see changes soon when all the old executive guys that started their businesses during the dictatorship begin to retire.

Ps: what will Apple bring us tomorrow? I sure hope they have them available at the Appel store grand opening on Sat 4th

 

[jmmo20]

Back to topic

The reason for these locations I feel are due to shortage of real estate property available in the city centers (MAD and BCN atleast) and also maybe these guyz help Apple out

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivanhoe_Cambridge

They bought the Mall from Mills Corporation

Apparently Apple almost had an agreement to buy an old shop space in Paseo de GRacia, at the very heart of Barcelona. At the end, it seems that Mango made a better offer and ended up with the estate.

I've heard that Apple will open 10 apple stores in the next 2-3 years, 2 for Madrid, 2 for Barcelona, 1 for Valencia, and the other 5 we don't know. But it's safe to assume, I think, that Apple will work hard to open two big and architectonically cool stores at the hearts of MAD and BCN.

 

[z4n3]

Apparently Apple almost had an agreement to buy an old shop space in Paseo de GRacia, at the very heart of Barcelona. At the end, it seems that Mango made a better offer and ended up with the estate.

I've heard that Apple will open 10 apple stores in the next 2-3 years, 2 for Madrid, 2 for Barcelona, 1 for Valencia, and the other 5 we don't know. But it's safe to assume, I think, that Apple will work hard to open two big and architectonically cool stores at the hearts of MAD and BCN.

It is a shame that H&M obtained the old cinema that is in the center of Gran via last year, they have restored the building quite well, but such a nice building crammed packed with cheap clothes is so hard to look at I Hope Apple are able to obtain a better site, there is an old cinema all boarded up in Gran Via but I have no idea who is the new owner PLEASE let it be Apple and AT LAST I have a Apple store close to my apartment

Trying to buy store space in Spain against Zara and Mango is almost impossible

 

[dhd]

To jmmo20: The number 1 reason that I complained is that I live at the moment at the canary islands, you can't buy online due the customs thingy (many sellers won't bother to make an webstore only for the islands or get caught with custom forms, etc ).

To Master Chief: sorry for the off topic!,

To z4n3: I can see you are not from Spain, first ONO doesn't reach the whole country, second here it doesn't matter what degree or education you got, actually we have one of the highest ratios of graduates, but they only can aspire to low wage jobs, I told you, the legal minimum wage is less than 700eur, average wages are around 1000eur.

To jmmo20: you could not say it better!, we have an infrastructure quite modern but we manage it like in the '40s...sadly I do not see much interest in changing the model...about landlines, try to get another company than Telefonica and then compare, oh well I'm going OT again!, sorry guys!!!

 

[SingaporeStu]

It is a shame that H&M obtained the old cinema that is in the center of Gran via last year, they have restored the building quite well, but such a nice building crammed packed with cheap clothes is so hard to look at I Hope Apple are able to obtain a better site, there is an old cinema all boarded up in Gran Via but I have no idea who is the new owner PLEASE let it be Apple and AT LAST I have a Apple store close to my apartment

Trying to buy store space in Spain against Zara and Mango is almost impossible

Yeah, seriously, why do Madrilenos need so many Zaras and Mangos? I know Spain has lots of pretty girls, but gosh, do they all enjoy overpaying to be underdressed? Not that I'm complaining about them being underdressed, though...

And yeah, an Apple Store replacing the H&M on Gran Via would be sooo much better. Even replacing the coretfeil opposite would be a great idea. Xanadu is really way out, and the neighbourhood around it isn't terribly well-heeled...

I'm gonna throw my hat in the ring of the love-hate Madrid & Spain discussion to say that, like every other city or country in the world, there are things I love about it, and there are things I hate about it.

I love Spanish wine. I love Jerez. I love Spanish girls. I love chorizos. I love those golden apples that they grow. I love Alicante. For some reason I can't explain, I like Basque country. I love the apartment in Majadahonda where my dad, brother and nephew live. I love that Spain is still cheaper to live in than Paris or London (but apparently catching up).

I hate siesta (they've cut it down but it still happens). I hate the manana attitude (it DOES exist in Spain, not just Mexico. Heck, where do you think the Mexicans got it from?). I hate the "Spain-is-the-best-country-in-the-world-and-my-bit-of-Spain-is-the-best-of-Spain" attitude. I hate the Prado and all their conquistador-loving paintings celebrating the days when they stole not only gold from other parts of the world, but robbed them of their culture as well. But then they probably still pat themselves on the back for bringing "Civilization" and "Christianity" to those places, and think the treasures they took are just reward. I also hate the "Spanish-cuisine-is-the-best-in the-world" attitude. Some may like it. Even many may like it. But for me: yuck. I hate Madrid-Barajas Airport. Even the new Terminal 4, but especially Terminal 1. It makes me think that I'm in some backwater country. I hate when you drive into one of the smaller towns, and it's the local saint's holiday, so nothing is open (and why does 1 country have so many San Juan/ Sant Joan's, especially in Catalan?).

Ok, I think I'll stop there. Anyone want to start a thread on love-hate London or Paris?

 

[Manzanito]

Guys. Let's please stop this OT discussion right here right now.

Spain is a great country. I not only love the weather, and I have to because Spain is my number one holiday destination for almost 40 years now, but the culture and people of Spain too. This despite the fact that not too many people speak English, but things are changing.

And I won't comment anymore on discriminating issues, because let be realistic: Isn't there something bad to say about any country? Well? I think so.

All in all. Reading news about upcoming Apple Stores in Spain is fantastic news. Should be front page news. And I mean that.

Saludos Amigos

Then maybe you shouldn't have started it, should you?

You really can't expect posting what you posted and not offending us (by us I mean spaniards, of course).

Of course every country has it cons. Are you gonna bash every one of them any time Apple opens a store in a new country?

Maybe you thought it was funny, but it wasn't. However, it seems you've already realized that, so I'll leave it here.

 

[juanm]

I'm spanish, I have lived in North Europe for almost 10 years...Sadly i have to agree that Spain is really far far away from the rest of the EU in all aspects, from labour conditions regulations to education, social welfare, cultural/arts activities and do not get me started with internet/mobile connections!!!, you pay here the double than Holland to get a connection that is 7 times slower!!! As I see it, I only see S-Pain cheaper for alcohol, tobacco and (maybe) eating tapas, the rest of goods are overpriced compared with another countries, specially when you take into account the minimum salary (670eur/month) or that the average salary is between 600-900eur (Master Chief said something about that). If you one of the lucky ones of getting 1000eur then you are called a "mileurista" (sort of the "medium" class in Spain).

I tell my friends that we should change the name to S-Pain (or the pain of being born spanish).

I agree 100%. Spain just got lucky to be on the north of the strait of Gibraltar, and that helped a lot, but deep down, we're still far away from the rest of the European pack.

 

[Master Chief]

Then maybe you shouldn't have started it, should you?

You really can't expect posting what you posted and not offending us (by us I mean spaniards, of course).

Of course every country has it cons. Are you gonna bash every one of them any time Apple opens a store in a new country?

Maybe you thought it was funny, but it wasn't. However, it seems you've already realized that, so I'll leave it here.

Listen. I think to have a vote after 40 years of visiting Spain for holidays so here goes...

First. If I ever want to offend anyone here, not just the Spanish people, then it would have been obvious. Very obvious. However. I wasn't even trying, because not only did I add this but also added the following note: "Just kidding!".

Now. If you can't handle it, that's too bad for you. Not my problem, but don't blame me for having a good sense of humor, because trust me... this is how EU citizen look at the Spanish corporate culture. I didn't invent it, but had to get used to it myself.

 

[jmmo20]

Listen. I think to have a vote after 40 years of visiting Spain for holidays so here goes...

First. If I ever want to offend anyone here, not just the Spanish people, then it would have been obvious. Very obvious. However. I wasn't even trying, because not only did I add this but also added the following note: "Just kidding!".

Now. If you can't handle it, that's too bad for you. Not my problem, but don't blame me for having a good sense of humor, because trust me... this is how EU citizen look at the Spanish corporate culture. I didn't invent it, but had to get used to it myself.

Fair enough but you can't blame us for defending our country, lol
I also hate the "spain-is-the-best" attitude someone else mentioned earlier. You can't get it any "wrong-er" But still it's our country and it's in our own hands to fight for it to advance, progress, and improve.

 

[Master Chief]

Fair enough but you can't blame us for defending our country, lol
I also hate the "spain-is-the-best" attitude someone else mentioned earlier. You can't get it any "wrong-er" But still it's our country and it's in our own hands to fight for it to advance, progress, and improve.

I as outsider can't make much of a change, but at least I deliver some hard cash to the country. I also do my shopping there, and bought a house. Well. Two actually, but whatever.

We also bought five brand new cars over the years, and employ three people. That's what I can do to help. And that is what I do for 40 years already.

My children also learned Spanish, to integrate, but I am still trying. My stubborn old braincells simply refuse to give in.

You see. As much as I 'hate' some of the things in Spain, I enjoy living their during my holidays, and hope to have as much fun when I retire. And no. I can't really blame anyone for defending his/her country. How could I? I mean being who I am [see nick name].

 

[Manzanito]

Listen. I think to have a vote after 40 years of visiting Spain for holidays so here goes...

First. If I ever want to offend anyone here, not just the Spanish people, then it would have been obvious. Very obvious. However. I wasn't even trying, because not only did I add this but also added the following note: "Just kidding!".

Now. If you can't handle it, that's too bad for you. Not my problem, but don't blame me for having a good sense of humor, because trust me... this is how EU citizen look at the Spanish corporate culture. I didn't invent it, but had to get used to it myself.

I don't think you meant to offend us, but with some of us, that was the effect.

Good sense of humor? Well, that's where we differ. I don't think it was funny.

I know Spain isn't perfect or anything, and like every other country, we have our pros and cons. Besides, you must truly like it here, since you've been coming for 40 years. My point is maybe your comment was a little unfortunate.

 

[Dirty Harry]

Valencia is it

The first Apple Store in Spain is supposed to be in Valencia, not Madrid or Barcelona. Sorry, folks. Maybe not the first one that is opened, but the first "significant store".

http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2010/09/07/valencia/1283871851.html



This is the historic 19th century building that is being repaired for the Apple store in Valencia. Much cooler than the Apple stores in the malls of Madrid or Barcelona, I must say.

 

[Epsilon88]

My sister would have LOVED this when her Macbook broke down near Madrid!

 

[MacTonald]

This is a great news! Now i know where to go in Spain!