Dubai
The weekend’s going to be pretty exciting for the UAE, more so if you’re part of the Apple family. This Thursday, at 4pm, the Middle East’s first official Apple store in the new Mall of the Emirates extension will be opening its doors to the public, followed by a second launch in Abu Dhabi at 7pm at Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi. This marks the second time that Apple’s opening two stores in one day, the last being in 2001 when they opened two stores on the same day in the USA.
We had a quick look at what the store has to offer today for a short while and after an introduction by Wendy Beckman, Senior Market Director Europe and Middle East, here’s what we know.
We finally have an “official” Apple retail experience complete with genius bars with reservations that you can make, from your apple ID and that’s just the start. Apple has had its presence here in the UAE for a little more than 30 years and it’s without question that iPhone remains the region’s best selling mobile handset. The store will be offering the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus on retail along with their roster of more than 150 products in the range though the Apple TV’s absence was clearly felt
Interestingly, we learned that the Hermès edition of the Apple Watch will not be available on retail officially in the UAE though it won’t be long before it comes.
The Apple Store Mall of the Emirates, here in Dubai and Apple Store Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi will make the tech giant’s world wide store total to 466 and across 17 countries. Completing the Apple experience, signature services Apple is known for throughout the world will come to both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Free daily workshops, special events and year-round programs for kids, Personal Setup and their incredible team of Geniuses. In the coming weeks Apple will have a programme of events in Mall of the Emirates, which involve musicians, app developers, filmmakers and entrepreneurs. Also in a great move, Apple is also focusing heavily on women in tech by hosting women only workshops on separate days besides the usual calendar.
More on the store, there are a number of distinctive features and firsts for Apple, created with partners Foster and Partners, who are behind the new Apple campus in California. This is the first-ever pivoting glass door storefront. The doors are 16 feet tall. On the back wall is a video wall. 10 trees provide a soothing canopy under which customers can interact with Apple’s team of highly-trained Geniuses, handpicked internationally and locally. Across the two stores Apple has 150 employees who have gone through extensive training. Collectively, the team speaks over 40 languages and ranks the most diverse in the world with over 30 nationalities. Many have been working in Apple stores throughout Europe.
If you’re one of the lucky first official customers on Saturday, you’ll receive a commemorative set of postcards featuring the beautiful script by artist Samir Sayeg that featured on the barricades of Apple’s stores for the past few weeks.
A wireless purchasing experience
Unlike most stores, all geniuses will carry out your transactions. They will carry mobile credit machines on them and will allow you to pay via cash or card. You can also pay with Apple ID through the Apple store app from the UAE and scan the item code to confirm purchase, that’s it. I made a quick purchase for a lightning cable and the experience was seamless. The year valid warranty is sent straight to email.
You’ll get a chance to experience this at 4 PM, this thursday on the 29th, fair warning, there’s quite a crowd that’s expected so come in early!
Abu Dhabi
Our friend Emkwan was at the media preview of Apple’s store in Yas Mall and was kind enough to share with us his video tour.
The Yas Mall store will open on Thursday as well at 7PM.
