Prada outbids for Galleria del Duomo site

Apple has lost a bid for an additional store location in Milan, Italy, says Macitynet.it. The company is noted to have been after a former McDonald's in the Galleria del Duomo, situated in the heart of the city. It has been outbid however by fashion vendor Prada, despite the latter already having a two-story outlet on the other side of the Galleria.

The municipal government was reportedly asking for a bid of €2.118 million per year for the first five years, and a rate of €3.629 million a year for the next 13 years thereafter. While Prada is said to have offered 150 percent over the baseline, Apple allegedly placed a 1 percent bid, quickly ruling itself out of competition.

In Sweden, meanwhile, Apple is believed to be planning its first Scandinavian stores. Last week the company filed documents to form a business called Apple Retail Sweden AB. According to the application, Apple's intent is "To operate, manage and monitor one or more whole or retail shops and the sale...of all types of products, equipment and spare parts in the areas of software, computers, computer equipment, music, communications and related technology." It would also offer "services, advice and or assistance, maintenance and after sales services related to the above activities."

by MacNN Staff