Apple today posted retail job listings for a future store to be located in the United Arab Emirates, indicating that the company may be soon opening its first store in the Middle East. The postings were initially spotted by ifoAppleStore and show typical openings for Specialists, Creatives, and Experts, as well as managerial positions for Store Leader and Market Leader. The report speculates that the store could already be under construction for an opening in February 2015 based on hiring schedules.
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Earlier this year, Apple CEO Tim Cook visited the UAE, posing for photos at various Apple resellers and meeting with UAE Prime Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. While the reason for his visit was unknown, it is possible that Cook may have been meeting with officials about the possibility of an Apple Retail Store in the region.
Additionally, MacRumors received a tip last year that Apple was planning to open a flagship store at The Galleria in Sowwah Square in Abu Dhabi, a luxury mall that opened late last year. The source claimed the store would not open for several years, but noted that it could be Apple's largest retail store to date.
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They have enough money.
Figures released by Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority showed that last year over 2.8 million guests checked into Abu Dhabi's 150 hotels and hotel apartments; a rise of 18% on 2012. And around 3.2 million visitors are expected this year.
If Abu Dhabi is "as stale as month-old bread, feels empty and lifeless" as you have stated, then I would admit that point-blank. But I had to disagree with you because it's not how you described it at all.
Abu Dhabi’s population passes 2.4 million and is growing by the minute
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/general/abu-dhabi-population-tops-2-5m-in-2013-1.1184986
Oh and I don't troll and I don't like trolls.
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Well since you're looking at it from this point of view, Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE and the largest of the seven Emirates. It is also the largest oil producer and the wealthiest Emirate of the UAE. What I'm trying to say is, so what? What's so odd about opening an Apple retail store in Abu Dhabi? And regarding the population, Abu Dhabi's population is at 2.4 million. Dubai's around 2.1M. But does it really matter? No.
Yes, you're right. AD is more traditional than Dubai and they want to maintain that. They don't want to turn AD into something like Dubai. Many people as well as citizens say Dubai turned into something like Las Vegas, some like that, a lot are against that description. Abu Dhabi doesn't want that. They're keeping their culture and tradition intact and want to preserve that and many tourists are attracted to that.
Yes. They're currently renovating the one in Marina Mall. I'm not sure whether they're done though. There's also an iStyle in Abu Dhabi Mall. But I prefer going to the one in Marina Mall.
That's why I said it'd be better if they opened the store in the Marina Mall. I went to The Galleria once, it's very luxurious and I loved the view of the sea but not a lot of people go there. Maybe because it's all brand clothing stores and cafés while in Marina Mall you have tech store, cinema, low and high-end clothing stores, etc. I personally didn't like the atmosphere and tone of The Galleria. Plus, it's too far. Marina Mall is in the heart of the city.
I know! When I lived in Jordan it was hard to find good support for Apple products. There were two resellers that I knew about, but that was it.