First Apple Store in Belgium Opens in Brussels on September 19

[MacRumors]

Apple has constructed a creative barricade with colorful artwork that confirms its first Apple Store in Belgium will open on Saturday, September 19. The retail store will be located on Avenue de la Toison d'Or in the capital city of Brussels.

Apple confirmed the store opening to Belgian website Apple Nieuws Vlaanderen, which has shared several photos of the storefront. The store has not yet been listed on Apple's website, but store hours and grand opening details should be available soon.

Update 8:32 AM: Apple's store page for the new Brussels location is now live, but with the opening still two weeks away the store is not yet taking reservations for Genius Bar appointments or workshops.

Article Link: First Apple Store in Belgium Opens in Brussels on September 19

 

[Sandstorm]

Kind of depressing that even very developed and rich EU countries like Belgium are just now getting their first Apple store. Makes me pessimistic if I'll ever see official Apple presence in my small country.

 

[snebes]

Anyone have a full picture of that building or know the address? It looks interesting.

 

[lionsy]

Kind of depressing that even very developed and rich EU countries like Belgium are just now getting their first Apple store. Makes me pessimistic if I'll ever see official Apple presence in my small country.

I'm sure it doesn't matter that Belgium (or any other country) is developed or not, I'd imagine it has to do with if Apple consider the country a worthwhile market for them. Maybe online sales of their products hadn't been that high in Belgium and they didn't see the point until recently.

 

[blimundus]

Belgian Apple watch launch?

 

[mXMach]

Kind of depressing that even very developed and rich EU countries like Belgium are just now getting their first Apple store. Makes me pessimistic if I'll ever see official Apple presence in my small country.

Same problem in our country ... I hope in Prague next year...

 

[Sandstorm]

I'm sure it doesn't matter that Belgium (or any other country) is developed or not, I'd imagine it has to do with if Apple consider the country a worthwhile market for them. Maybe online sales of their products hadn't been that high in Belgium and they didn't see the point until recently.

But isn't it kind of ridiculous for the richest company on Earth? They could afford to be truly global. How come Google and Microsoft can be officially here in Baltics and offer local support and quality product localisation? Countless Apple resellers flourish - I'm sure Apple wouldn't operate at a loss.
At this point for such a rich company like Apple it should be just the matter of WANTING to offer ALL customers EVERYWHERE the best experience - but I guess Apple has maximum possible profits as priority and some customers are not worth the effort. :/

 

[mr.bee]

Anyone have a full picture of that building or know the address? It looks interesting.

here ya go
http://www.letoisondor.be/images/


The concept is interesting and on the pictures it looks nice. But in real, meh, it looks dated, like an 80's building that already lost its glory

 

[Goldfinger]

Anyone have a full picture of that building or know the address? It looks interesting.

It's in the original article.. av de la Toison d'Or (Guldenvlieslaan, Brussel)

 

[mr.bee]

But isn't it kind of ridiculous for the richest company on Earth? They could afford to be truly global. How come Google and Microsoft can be officially here in Baltics and offer local support and quality product localisation? Countless Apple resellers flourish - I'm sure Apple wouldn't operate at a loss.
At this point for such a rich company like Apple it should be just the matter of WANTING to offer ALL customers EVERYWHERE the best experience - but I guess Apple has maximum possible profits as priority and some customers are not worth the effort. :/

I read that Apple is very picky about their locations. And if they can't have what they want, then no Apple store. It's not about the money, and even not about the services (there are plenty of official resellers and services online).

An Apple store is a architectural statement.

 

[lionsy]

But isn't it kind of ridiculous for the richest company on Earth? They could afford to be truly global. How come Google and Microsoft can be officially here in Baltics and offer local support and quality product localisation? Countless Apple resellers flourish - I'm sure Apple wouldn't operate at a loss.
At this point for such a rich company like Apple it should be just the matter of WANTING to offer ALL customers EVERYWHERE the best experience - but I guess Apple has maximum possible profits as priority and some customers are not worth the effort. :/

That may be so, but if they don't perceive the market to be there, they probably think the shop/s would be empty and that's bad for their brand. But it's good they've decided to construct one in Brussels. I agree with you that it's better to have one everywhere, but sometimes people in boardrooms don't think the same way as their (potential) customers

 

[PBMB]

I'm sure it doesn't matter that Belgium (or any other country) is developed or not, I'd imagine it has to do with if Apple consider the country a worthwhile market for them. Maybe online sales of their products hadn't been that high in Belgium and they didn't see the point until recently.

Exactly. In my experience, Belgium must a strongly PC-oriented country. Plus, people seem to be very critical towards Apple's products and general policy. Add to this a 21% VAT in the current economic climate and you get the picture.

There are some exceptions of course, like universities (especially the francophone ones), but they represent an insignificant percentage.

Personally I am surprised that Apple decided to open that store. On the other hand, the location is the best you can have in Brussels for that kind of store.

 

[PBMB]

Kind of depressing that even very developed and rich EU countries like Belgium are just now getting their first Apple store. Makes me pessimistic if I'll ever see official Apple presence in my small country.

It is not a matter of geographical size per se. Belgium has less than half the area of Latvia but 5-6 times the population. In other words, it has more than 10 times the population density of Latvia. This really counts in any kind of commercial decision.

 

[Jarman74]

I'm sure it doesn't matter that Belgium (or any other country) is developed or not, I'd imagine it has to do with if Apple consider the country a worthwhile market for them. Maybe online sales of their products hadn't been that high in Belgium and they didn't see the point until recently.

I'd second that. A few years ago Apple had the opportunity to open a store in Milan centre - very near to the Cathedral plus in the hub of the city's fashion boutiques and luxury shops. Apparently their bid wasn't high enough and the store went to Prada (you can check out the place here).

 

[seble]

Surprised Apple chose a building that appears as unappealing as that for an Apple Store!

 

[Toinman]

I'm not sure if it's Belgium-exclusive, but there is a 'premium reseller' in Belgium dedicated to selling Apple products. They don't sell PCs and they try to copy the Apple-way of displaying products. So they act like mini Apple Stores, except they don't have any exclusive locations or high-esthetic buildings. Maybe Apple waited with an own store because their products already had the attention en sells they needed. But again, I'm not sure if other countries have this too.

 

[PBMB]

Surprised Apple chose a building that appears as unappealing as that for an Apple Store!

Don't be surprised because, as I said previously, this is the best location in Brussels for this kind of store. Avenue de la Toison d'Or has all kinds of transport available (metro, tram and bus) and it is near Place Louise, the heart of the most expensive shopping area in Brussels (and in Belgium). People shopping there are well above average.

An Apple Store would not stand a chance anywhere else in this city.

 

[PBMB]

I'm not sure if it's Belgium-exclusive, but there is a 'premium reseller' in Belgium dedicated to selling Apple products. They don't sell PCs and they try to copy the Apple-way of displaying products. So they act like mini Apple Stores, except they don't have any exclusive locations or high-esthetic buildings.

Indeed, and I am wondering what will be their fate after the opening of this store.

 

[Four oF NINE]

I read that Apple is very picky about their locations. And if they can't have what they want, then no Apple store. It's not about the money, and even not about the services (there are plenty of official resellers and services online).

An Apple store is a architectural statement.

Not so picky when they have a presence in suburban mall interiors

Kind of depressing that even very developed and rich EU countries like Belgium are just now getting their first Apple store. Makes me pessimistic if I'll ever see official Apple presence in my small country.

I've never understood why Apple is so slow with opening new stores.

here ya go
http://www.letoisondor.be/images/


The concept is interesting and on the pictures it looks nice. But in real, meh, it looks dated, like an 80's building that already lost its glory

Surprised Apple chose a building that appears as unappealing as that for an Apple Store!

What's unappealing about it? It's a class 'A' urban contemporary building.

 

[Quirinus]

Same date as last years iphone 6 sales started? (not in Belgium though).

 

[Toinman]

Indeed, and I am wondering what will be their fate after the opening of this store.

They'll do just fine. Apple is never going to open many stores and certainly not in 'economy-class' locations where these stores are located.

 

[keysofanxiety]

But isn't it kind of ridiculous for the richest company on Earth? They could afford to be truly global. How come Google and Microsoft can be officially here in Baltics and offer local support and quality product localisation? Countless Apple resellers flourish - I'm sure Apple wouldn't operate at a loss.
At this point for such a rich company like Apple it should be just the matter of WANTING to offer ALL customers EVERYWHERE the best experience - but I guess Apple has maximum possible profits as priority and some customers are not worth the effort. :/

In 2001, there was exactly one Apple Store. As of the current time of writing, they have 453. That's about 32 new stores per year.

Remember they need to get planning permission in some cases, and have to train the staff, have to have time to build/revamp/refurbish the stores, get legislation sorted ... it is a lengthy process, far more than you give it credit for. I can definitely assure you that Apple would love to have more and more stores worldwide, though I certainly appreciate your frustration.

 

[Rogifan]

Kind of depressing that even very developed and rich EU countries like Belgium are just now getting their first Apple store. Makes me pessimistic if I'll ever see official Apple presence in my small country.

I was just on the phone with Apple support last night and they had to set up an in store appointment for me. The person on the phone was amazed that I had 5 Apple stores all within a half hour from where I live. I guess my metropolitan area demographic must skew heavily Apple.

 

[keysofanxiety]

Indeed, and I am wondering what will be their fate after the opening of this store.

Nothing. Apple have authorised resellers and repairers everywhere, in countries even when there are already lots of Apple Stores. The more options consumers have to get their product serviced, or purchase an Apple product from, is never a bad thing.

 

[lionsy]

I'm not sure if it's Belgium-exclusive, but there is a 'premium reseller' in Belgium dedicated to selling Apple products. They don't sell PCs and they try to copy the Apple-way of displaying products. So they act like mini Apple Stores, except they don't have any exclusive locations or high-esthetic buildings. Maybe Apple waited with an own store because their products already had the attention en sells they needed. But again, I'm not sure if other countries have this too.

I don't think it's exclusive to Belgium, we had them in the UK, there used to be one in the town I live in but they went the way of the dodo when an official apple store opened in the area. I'm sure they still exist in the UK, because there are great swaths of land where there aren't Apple Stores still. There was an independent Apple shop

In 2001, there was exactly one Apple Store. As of the current time of writing, they have 453. That's about 32 new stores per year.

Remember they need to get planning permission in some cases, and have to train the staff, have to have time to build/revamp/refurbish the stores, get legislation sorted ... it is a lengthy process, far more than you give it credit for. I can definitely assure you that Apple would love to have more and more stores worldwide, though I certainly appreciate your frustration.

I can confirm that! I don't know if they still do it, but Apple used to list upcoming stores on their website, The Apple Store in Reading Oracle Center, England was known about for literally 4 years before it finally opened, A big unit finally went empty and was covered up for the best part of a year. Apple like to get things right with their shops, they either waited for a suitable place or booked the lease and waited, if they want a position, they'll get it, even if it takes a while.