By Joseph George

Apple may be looking at opening not one, but two exclusive stores in the UAE, one of which could be the world’s largest, a well-placed industry source told Emirates 24|7.



The UAE could well become the regional headquarters for Apple, which already has an office at the Business Bay Downtown in Dubai. It was earlier located in Abu Dhabi.



New listings posted by Apple show job openings for 26 different positions in UAE offices and stores.

Apple stores across the world

Credit for maps: www.ifoapplestore.com



Also see: Apple hiring for stores in UAE



According to a source from a major retailer here in the UAE, Apple could be looking at not one but two news stores – one in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.



“The Dubai store could be either located in the Mall of the Emirates or the Dubai Mall, while expect another store to open in Abu Dhabi as well,” the operational head of a Dubai-based electronics retailer told this website on the condition of anonymity.



According to recent reports, the upcoming Dubai store could well be Apple’s largest retail store in the world.

Quoting sources, a report said that the new Apple store could be located in the Mall of the Emirates and could go on to become the biggest store in the world. No details about the possible size of the store has been made available.



Currently, the biggest Apple store is located in Madrid, Spain, and measures about 71,700 square feet (6.666 metres).



The Dubai store is expected to be ready by 2015.



While currently most Apple products are sold by authorised resellers as well as a vibrant grey market, electronic retailers are hoping that the negative impact on sales due to opening of new exclusive retail stores by Apple could be overcome by an increase in Apple-related sales in the UAE and the region.

Projected future Apple stores

Credit for maps: www.ifoapplestore.com



Ashish Panjabi of Jacky’s Electronics told Emirates 24|7 that there are both advantages as well as disadvantages that come along with any new development.



“The pie is going to get bigger. We hope that as a result of new exclusive Apple stores, sales of Apple products in the UAE will increase. The availability of Apple products in the UAE will be in tune with other major markets,” he said.



Currently Apple products come to the region almost two to three months after the release. “We might see it coming down to just 15 or 30 days,” he added.



With an increased support by Apple in terms of branding, retailers also hope that the overall sales of Apple products will improve. “It will definitely cannibalise sales. However, the loss will not be as great as those borne by the grey market and online retailers,” he said.



Another senior official from a leading retail store said their own sales of Apple products could be affected by almost 25 to 30 per cent. “We are expecting that dip. However, we will still have an advantage in terms of special offers and promotions, which we know cannot be matched by Apple,” he said.

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