Apple declared last year, its interest in the Chinese economy. Many predict that China would be Apple’s biggest market in coming years and as of now the maximum growth for Apple comes from China. Apple’s China footprint is weak and that can me made out from the fact that even small towns in China have fake Apple stores doing the job for Jobs & Co. With just four stores between Shanghai and Beijing, Apple has a long way to go with Apple Stores in China.
MIC Gadget is reporting a 5 storey long Apple store opening up shortly in Shanghai. They have some exclusive pictures of the store that is currently just showing a curtains opening teaser. As Apple prepares to lighten up Nanjing Road in Shanghai, we wonder why a 5 storey Apple store? This would be bigger than any Apple Store in New York city! Apparently Apple plans to have sales in the first two floors, followed by a Genius bar + customer training and corporate briefing rooms and offices.
Apple has also upped its anti piracy drive in China to check counterfeit products and one of the things that report said was lack of local Chinese lawyers / law. For Apple to expand in China, a lot of local manpower would come into force. As Apple opens offices and increases man power in China, we sit back and watch, how much more can the worlds most valuable company grow.
On a separate note, the iPhone 5 is also expected to launch with China Mobile, China’s largest telecom player.