Counting down the days, Apple Inc. will open its first retail store in Malaysia at Exchange TRX Mall, Kuala Lumpur's main shopping center.
The store is scheduled to open on June 22 at 10 a.m. local time, according to the company's website (May 29).
Malaysia is playing an increasingly important role for Apple, both in terms of manufacturing and sales. The company has been manufacturing several Macs in Malaysia for several years.
By opening a store in Malaysia, Apple aims to expand its market share in Asia beyond China. In China, Apple faces intense competition from local players such as Huawei, which poses new challenges. By expanding into other Asian regions, Apple hopes to alleviate competitive pressure and reach more potential customers.
Apple took a major step forward last year by opening its first store in India, a key iPhone manufacturing hub. In Asia, Apple has also opened stores in Singapore and Thailand. In addition, Apple is partially manufacturing AirPods in Vietnam.
The new Apple Store in Malaysia has been in development for several years, with initial hiring beginning last year. The store was originally scheduled to open in February, but has experienced delays.
The Southeast Asian market is an attractive arena for Apple. Despite competition from Chinese companies (Xiaomi and Oppo) and Samsung, the growth of the middle class and increasing smartphone usage offer significant potential.
By entering the Malaysian retail market, Apple shows that it intends to expand its market share in Asia. With premium products and superior customer service, Apple is ready to compete and drive growth in this dynamic region.
