Apple to build first Southeast Asia retail store in Singapore
Apple is to construct its first Southeast Asian bricks and mortar retail store in Singapore as part of efforts to tap into rapidly growing smartphone sales in the region.
Confirming the rumoured launch, Apple’s senior vice president for retail and online stores, Angela Ahrendts, told Tech Crunch: “We have more than 900 incredible employees working in our Singapore contact center and are thrilled to begin hiring the team that will open our first Apple Store in Singapore — an incredible international city and shopping destination.
“We can’t wait to deliver the service, education and entertainment that is loved by Apple customers around the world.”
Despite this openness the precise location of the store remains cloaked in secrecy as does its opening date, although it will be powered exclusively by renewable energy in line with its current global initiatives.
Singapore serves as a gateway to the wider region for Apple, which uses the city state as a stepping stone to sell its products in a market dominated by Samsung, Xiaomi and OnePlus.