PHOTOS : Southeast Asia's First Apple Store Launched

by Seasia.co

Published May 29, 2017 - 18:26 Jkt

Located at the heart of Orchard Road, Singapore's retail centre, Apple's opened its first Southeast Asian location and added its ninth high-profile Apple Store globally, amidst others in Ginza, Dubai, Soho, and New York.

"If they build an Apple Store here, it means that they're building something for us in Southeast Asia. The next market could be Thailand or Indonesia or something like that" saidKhajorn Chiaranaipanich, who flew all the way from Bangkok to witness the opening, as reported by Mashable.

Apple's launching the store in a region where Apple has faced immense competition with much cheaper Android alternatives, like Xiaomi, Oppo and Samsung.

It's also faced difficulties with trade regulations in Indonesia, that prevented the tech giant from launching the iPhone 6S in the country.

Instead of the glass stairways, the Apple Store in Singapore features a design inspired from its new Apple Park campus, and features hand railings seamlessly etched into the wall. | CNet

The Silicon Valley tech giant was only able to launch the iPhone 7 in neighboring Indonesia in April this year after acceding to Indonesian regulations.

The new Apple Store - easily distinguished by its iconic glass facade - is expected to be one of the most popular Apple stores in the world according to the US tech giant. Merchandise such as the iPhone and MacBook were strategically placed on display across the spacious first floor, while the upper level acted as a classroom for customers to participate in hands-on sessions.

Apple's retail outlet is also 100 percent powered by renewable energy, using energy derived from rooftop solar panels from local solar firm Sunseap. | CNet

Besides being home to Apple's products, the store also features the tech giant's Today at Apple program, with workshops, events and in-store classes occurring with local talent. Apple envisions the store as "modern-day town square," and expects it to be one of its most popular.