Apple opens two new stores at Dubai International

Consumer tech giant Apple has opened two concessions at Dubai Duty Free (DDF) in Dubai International Airport’s (DXB) Terminal 3, one of which is the largest travel retail store of its kind.

The two Apple shop ‘programs’ offer the full Apple products range, including the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Macbook laptops, Apple TV and Apple accessories, according to DDF.

The shops occupy prime retail space next to gate B15 and A12 in the airport’s new Concourse B, covering 86 square metres and 70 square metres respectively.

Colm McLoughlin, executive vice-chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free, said: “With the Apple shop program in Concourse B being the largest in any travel retail in the world, this is a very exciting development for Dubai Duty Free and our customers.”

“They will enjoy the design, layout and products, along with first-class customer experience and product knowledge.”

Since the opening of the new Apple shop concessions, there has been an 8 percent hike in sales of Apple products at DXB, a figure that is expected to increase further, according to DDF.

“Based on our current sales projections, we expect Apple sales to reach AED220 million ($61 million) this year,” McLoughlin said.

Apple opened its first Apple store in Dubai last year in the newly refurbished Mall of the Emirates.

The tech firm’s CEO, Tim Cook, made a surprise visit to the shop last month, surprising customers and employees alike who he posed with for selfies.

“It’s important to have a retail store in key markets,” he said. “Not every market can support one, but Dubai can clearly support more than one, so it’s great to be here.”

Apple’s Mall of the Emirates store has become a hive of activity and recently ran a series of art workshops.

The sessions teach people how to sketch, draw, and take better photos with iPhones and iPads.