26 April 2017

Global tech giant Apple Inc has announced it will open its new store in Dubai Mall later this week.

In an email to iCloud users, the iPhone maker said its latest outlet in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) would open on Thursday afternoon.

“Join us on Thursday, 27th April at 16:00 for the grand opening of Apple Dubai Mall,” the email stated.

In a press release on Tuesday, the company said it viewed its new store as a space for the community “to gather, learn and be entertained”.

Designed by Foster + Partners, the shop features a 186-foot curved storefront and a balcony overlooking the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain. The store will also serve as a venue to watch the fountain shows.

“We view our stores as a modern-day town square, where visitors come to shop, be inspired, learn or connect with others in their community,” Angela Ahrendts, Apple’s senior vice president for retail, was quoted as saying in the press release.

“And what better place to come together than overlooking Dubai’s epicentre, where the Dubai Fountain, Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall meet.”

The Cupertino, California, firm will also launch its new global in-store experience program called ‘Today at Apple’ in Dubai and in all 495 stores next month, the statement said. It will include sessions across photo and video, music, coding, art and design.

The Dubai Mall store also plans to host events including live music, conversations with film-makers and photographers, and live workshops with some of the world’s top talent.

The Dubai Mall store will be Apple's third in the UAE, joining existing locations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The stores in Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates and Abu Dhabi’s Yas Mall have collectively recorded more than 4 million visitors since they first opened 18 months ago.

© Zawya 2017