Apple To Open Two Stores In The UAE

US tech giant Apple looks set to open two stores in the UAE - one in Dubai and in Abu Dhabi.

After posting a series of jobs on its website in recent weeks, the company confirmed plans to open a store in the UAE, but gave no details about its location.

In recent days, however, the company has posted several new listings, but this time for Abu Dhabi-based positions, indicating a plan to open a second store in the UAE.

It was reported that the planned store in Dubai would be its biggest in the world, larger than its flagship outlet at Grand Central, in New York.

In a statement to Arabian Business this week, Apple said: “The United Arab Emirates is an important country for Apple. We launched the Apple Online Store, UAE in 2011 and it's one of our fastest growing markets around the world.

“We look forward to opening a physical store in the region, and sharing Apple's unique shopping experience and services that have been incredibly popular around the world, in the near future,” the statement said.

While there was no indication as to when that store would open, previous hiring schedules indicate that the store would open in February/March next year.

Apple CEO Tim Cook visited the UAE in February this year, meeting with Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed, as well as a number of Apple resellers.

Currently, the largest Apple Store spans 23,000 sq ft in Grand Central Store in New York. Apple's iconic Fifth Avenue store boasts the highest number of staff members of an Apple Store, with over 300 employees.