Apple will open a new store on Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi

A new Apple store will soon open on Abu Dhabi’s Al Maryah Island, making it the tech company’s fourth outlet in the United Arab Emirates.

Apple’s Al Maryah Island store will overlook the waterfront promenade and “will be a home for customers to explore their creativity, discover new products and receive the best support from the new retail team,” said the Cupertino-based technology company on Thursday.

Apple unveiled a special barricade surrounding the storefront on Thursday morning.

The barricade pays homage to pearls and pearl divers, and what they represent to Abu Dhabi‘s history and culture.

“The pearl and the environment from which it was born is a great metaphor for the city’s growth and investment in its creative community as it races into the future,” Apple said.

The store will become a new place where the community can gather, learn and find inspiration, the company said.

“Visitors will be able to create, collaborate, and continue to experience the best of Apple, all in one place.”

Apple opened its revamped Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi last week, with the store now in a prime location and twice as large as before.

The wood and glass-themed store offers the full range of Apple products available in the UAE, as well as the company’s trade-in program and technical support.

“We look forward to continuing to bring the best of Apple to the UAE and building on our history in the region,” said Deirdre O’Brien, senior vice president of retail and people at Apple.

Since its first outlets opened in the US states of Virginia and California in 2001, Apple today has a network of 516 stores in 25 countries, according to the company’s website.

Apple stores have become an integral part of the company’s image and culture. From simple retail outlets, Apple has broadened its focus and integrated outlets into the culture and environment of their locations.

For example, The Dubai Mall store has what is called a Solar Wings balcony which is motorized and offers views of the Dubai Fountain, while its Marina Bay Sands outlet in Singapore has been designed as a “floating sphere “, making it the first Apple store. sit directly on the water.

In Italy, Apple has restored Rome’s Palazzo Marignoli, a 19th-century palace, to set up its 17th outlet in the country.

Apple, which has been operating in the Middle East for more than 10 years, already has three stores in the United Arab Emirates.

The first Yas Mall outlet opened alongside Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates branch in 2015 – making them the first Apple stores in the Middle East – while The Dubai Mall store followed in 2017. Together, these points of sale have welcomed approximately 30 million visitors to date.

Apple is the world’s most valuable company, with a current market capitalization of $2.88 trillion as of Wednesday’s market close.

Updated: February 10, 2022, 8:00 a.m.