AppAdvice International: Apple Brings New Stores To Japan, China

by Joe White

June 17, 2014

Omotesando

This week saw the Grand Opening of Apple’s new retail store in Omotesando, Tokyo – an event that was attended by none other than senior vice president of Retail Angela Ahrendts. Celebrated for its environmentally friendly construction, the new store’s Grand Opening saw long lines of enthusiastic Apple fans appear beforehand.

The lucky customers able to gain entrance to the store were given free green Apple logo T-shirts, in a move reflective of the eco-friendly venue. More valuable, perhaps, was the opportunity for a picture with Angela Ahrendts:

One day before the new store opened in Omotesando, Apple posted a video to its website offering fans a behind-the-scenes look at the new retail venue. As my colleague Aldrin explained that the time, “At just under a minute, the video is quite short. But it does a good job of showing the excitement of Apple staff and fans alike ahead of the opening of the store.”

Take a look:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=0ldZr7FFFFc

If you can’t see the above video, please click this link.

Besides its new Omotesando store, Apple has one other retail store in Tokyo and five more across Japan.

Chongqing

In more retail news this week, we also heard that additional retail stores across China are going to adopt a similar design to Apple’s Pudong, Shanghai venue. The building features a glass cylinder entryway, and this is also going to be used for Apple’s in-development store in Chongqing.

Our original article explained:

Back in October last year, Apple was actually granted a patent for its Shanghai store’s glass entryway. In the application, Cupertino explained how its designers and engineers “developed new techniques in order to ensure that the glass structure could withstand the elements, while also detailing how the glass panels were properly shaped and curved in order to fit with the Apple Retail Store’s design.”

Though we thought it curious that Apple had been granted a patent for one of its retail stores, the move now makes perfect sense. The development of Apple’s upcoming store comes as Cupertino embarks on its efforts to triple the number of retail venues in China – something Angela Ahrendts will be overseeing over the course of the coming year.

Soccer Fever

To celebrate the beginning of the World Cup tournament in Brazil, Apple added a new section to its App Store this week. Called “Soccer Fever,” the section advertises games, travel apps, and even Brazilian music for soccer fans looking to learn more about the tournament and its host country's vibrant culture.

You can check out the new section on the App Store by clicking this link.