Apple opens 2nd China flagship store in Shanghai
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Customers queue to enter an Apple flagship store, the first of its kind in Shanghai, in the Lujiazui area of Pudong District, Shanghai, China, July 10, 2010. The flagship store not only sells Apple products, but also offers technical supports to customers. [Xinhua] |
Apple Inc. Saturday opened its second China flagship store in Shanghai to tap the country's huge number of tech-savvy young customers.
This is also Apple's 295th retail outlet globally. Apple, which makes popular electronic devices such as the iPhone and iPad, opened its first China flagship store in Beijing two years ago.
Thousands of Apple fans lined up before the opening of the 1,500-square-meter store at 10 a.m. in the Lujiazui finance and trade zone in Pudong New District.
An Apple fan nicknamed "Penguin" flew to Shanghai from the northeastern province of Jilin on Tuesday to be the first in line for the opening.
"It's such a great shop," he said. "As an Apple fan, I'm satisfied today."
Mei Yongfan, who has been to the Apple store on New York City's 5th Avenue in February, said: "The two stores are almost the same, but the after-sale services area is even bigger at the Shanghai store."
The store displays Mac computers, iPods and iPhone 3GS for customers to try out.
Apple's new products: the iPhone 4 and iPad are not on sale as they have not officially entered the Chinese market. But they can be bought on the grey market.
Apple stores are directly operated by the company with special free services, such as product hands-on experience, training and technical support.
Last year, Apple stores around the world contributed to one-sixth of the company's total revenue.
