Apple's First Retail Location in Singapore Close to Opening as 'Apple Loves Singapore' Mural Revealed

[MacRumors]

Construction barricades have recently begun disappearing around Apple's first retail location in Singapore, revealing a large mural and 12 smaller pieces of artwork that showcase the Apple logo, a heart, and a little red dot, referencing Apple's love for Singapore.

Inside each of the little red dots Apple has personalized the barricades further, changing the artwork to represent illustrator Kristal Melson, photographer Aik Beng Chia, app developer Hon Cheng Muh, and more creatives.

The company has also listed quotes under each Apple Loves Singapore sign, with Muh's reading: "It's crazy that what I'm doing now did not exist 10 years ago. It took a lot of patience getting past the steep learning curve. But change is possible when there's passion."

According to The Straits Times, these 12 pieces of art represent 12 Creative Pros -- or "Red Dot Heroes" -- hired by Apple who will work at the store to be the "liberal arts equivalent of Apple technical geniuses." The workers will be part of Apple's just-announced Today at Apple retail initiative, which is expanding worldwide this month.

The Apple retail store will be located on Orchard Road, an entertainment and shopping hub of Singapore, and officially be known as Apple Orchard Road. The location has been talked about since the fall of 2015, but Apple never gave a clear timetable for the store's opening once it missed its original late 2016 debut.

It remains unclear exactly when Apple Orchard Road will open, but progress on the store appears to be nearing completion. The retail location will be run on 100 percent renewable energy, as does all of Apple's operations and facilities within Singapore.

(Thanks, Kenneth!)

Article Link: Apple's First Retail Location in Singapore Close to Opening as 'Apple Loves Singapore' Mural Revealed

 

[ben.boyd437]

Apple loves Japan ?

 

[Mrjoedot]

It's always beautiful to see new Apple store

 

[IvanX]

A red circle on plain white background looks like the flag of Japan to me.

 

[69Mustang]

Apple loves Japan ?

That was the first thing I thought too. Not sure how the red circle is a representation of Singapore. Can someone local to Singapore chime in?

edit: Found it. Makes sense now. Singapore is often colloquially referenced as Little Red Dot. I learn something new every day.

 

[D.T.]

That was the first thing I thought too. Not sure how the red circle is a representation of Singapore. Can someone local to Singapore chime in?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_red_dot

 

[SoN1NjA]

Thought the same thing guys, looks like Japan

and now that I've seen the Singapore flag for the first time ever, I would've done an all red background and a white star

 

[Verita]

I actually trademarked the Red Dot last month. Cease and desist!

 

[69Mustang]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_red_dot

Yep. Found that as well. The article could actually use that explanation.

 

[zzLZHzz]

will there be opening event?

finally it is opening

 

[stan1028]

Here are more photos and shots: https://myapplesingapore.tech/2017/...-knightsbridge-part-14-apple-loves-singapore/

 

[justperry]

Construction barricades have recently begun disappearing around Apple's first retail location in Singapore, revealing a large mural and 12 smaller pieces of artwork that showcase the Apple logo, a heart, and a little red dot, referencing Apple's love for Singapore.

If that is the case then why did it take so long for Apple to open an Apple Store in Singapore.
(Might be it was difficult to find a perfect spot like on Orchard Road.)
Singapore is a shoppers haven, millions of tourists/travellers/business people visit the country every year, it just didn't make sense not to have one in SG yet.
On top of that, Singaporeans love Apple products, it's probably one of the countries with the most Apple gear per head in the world.

 

[Urban Joe]

Apple loves Singapore dollars!!

 

[justperry]

Apple loves Singapore dollars!!

Hmmm, thinking...Maybe, just maybe those/most dollars are spend by foreigners buying Apple stuff while
in Singapore, I know many do.

 

[TheIntruder]

Wondering why the home of Apple's largest manufacturing partners/suppliers, in a country with affluent, tech-savvy consumers, still lacks an Apple Store.

And don't tell me it's a chicken/egg situation, because I've seen firsthand the effect that Store openings have had on another Asian market in terms of Apple user penetration.

 

[ben.boyd437]

It's not a "little red dot", it's the same size as a corporate logo, it's a giant red sun.

 

[Kajje]

If that is the case then why did it take so long for Apple to open an Apple Store in Singapore.
(Might be it was difficult to find a perfect spot like on Orchard Road.)
Singapore is a shoppers haven, millions of tourists/travellers/business people visit the country every year, it just didn't make sense not to have one in SG yet.
On top of that, Singaporeans love Apple products, it's probably one of the countries with the most Apple gear per head in the world.

All true, but over here Apple products are widely available through retail shops. Many iPhones are sourced through the cell providers, and the online Apple store has been there for many years and delivers the next day.

Nonetheless a real Apple store is a welcome addition. In many occasions Singapore is on the first release list for new Apple goodies, but don't for a second think though, that there will be round-the-block queues like in the US. We ain't got time for that over here!

 

[Santabean2000]

Will be interesting to see how they staff the store. Customer service in Singapore is a running joke. Gotta think it won't be Singaporeans running the show.

 

[Kajje]

Will be interesting to see how they staff the store. Customer service in Singapore is a running joke. Gotta think it won't be Singaporeans running the show.

Ya Singaporean Apple support staff sometime guai lan. But anything better than the crooks selling kw at Sim Lim.