New Chinese Apple Stores to open in Chengdu, Shenzhen
updated 04:21 pm EDT, Wed June 6, 2012
Apple moves outside of Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong
Apple is planning to to open new retail stores in the Chinese cities of Chengdu and Shenzhen, according to government officials quoted by Reuters. The news agency notes that in late May, Apple received approval to set up a business unit for retail sales and after-sales service in Chengdu. As for Shenzhen, the company submitted documents to the city on Monday with the aim of opening an outlet in Holiday Plaza, a luxury mall in the Nanshan district.
The stores will be among Apple's first in China outside of the country's three most important urban hubs, those Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. Another outlet is coming to the city of Dalian. The Chinese market is still relatively new to Apple, but is rapidly becoming critical to the company's profits. Perhaps by coincidence, Chengdu and Shenzhen are also where many Apple products are assembled by Foxconn.
On Monday, workers rioted at Foxconn's Chengdu plant. Hundreds of police are said to have been called out, leading to the arrests of dozens of people.
