By Allen Tsai | Thu Jul 08, 2010 9:31 am |
Apple is set to open a flagship store in the center of Shanghai's financial district on Saturday, as the company spearheads a plan to build 25 retail shops across China and raise its profile in the country's fast-growing smartphone market.
"We are thrilled to open the first of many new stores in China in this incredible location," said Ron Johnson, Apple's senior vice president of retail operations.
The Cupertino, Calif.-based company said the Shanghai outlet, which is its second flagship store in China, is located in an upscale mall in the Pudong financial district near the famous Oriental Pearl Tower.
The retail store has Apple's signature minimalist design and features a 40-foot cylindrical glass wall, mirroring its iconic Fifth Avenue spot in New York.
The doorway winds down a staircase to an underground showroom -- which displays Macs, iPhones and other products -- and features Apple's trademark "Genius Bar" for technical assistance and a briefing room for meetings.
"We view this store as a kind of launching pad," Johnson said. Apple is aiming to open 25 locations around China by the end of next year, making the country its third-largest market after the U.S. and U.K.
While there is pent-up demand for the iPhone 4 and iPad, consumers often buy smuggled or pirated versions of Apple products through underground markets. The company hopes that by building the new retail stores, it will have more direct contact with customers and be able to capture more market share in the region.
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