Apple is planning to open its second flagship Apple Store location in China, according to The New York Times. The store is located in Shanghai, and features a 40 foot tall glass cylinder that serves as front door for the underground store.
The company is planning on opening up 25 retail locations in China over the next two years, an attempt to strengthen sales in the world’s largest market, a market where Apple has traditionally had very little presence or exposure.
According to Needham & Co. analyst Charles Wolf, Apple’s plans for China are saying, “Apple plans a major invasion of China over the next 18 months to two years. To date, Apple has not been a force in China. But it will be.”
Apple put it more modestly, with Ron Johnson, senior vice president of retail operations at Apple, telling The Times, “We view this store as a kind of launching pad.”
There is nothing modest about the new store, however, which eclipses even the Fifth Avenue Apple Store’s Glass Cube entry. The Times’ article includes a photograph of the new store that simply has to be seen to be understood, and we encourage you to do so.
The store will employ some 175 people, and the store will open this Saturday.