Apple is expanding its retail presence in Saudi Arabia. In the summer of 2025, the company will launch its online Apple Store in the country, followed in 2026 with its first physical stores there.
Apple retail to make a grand entry in Saudi Arabia
Apple maintains a wide retail presence in the United States through Apple Stores, and its products also are available through authorized distributors and retailers, including Best Buy and Walmart. Outside of the country, though, Apple’s direct retail presence is limited to big markets such as China and Europe. In other countries, it sells its products only through authorized resellers. However, if Apple considers a region vital for its growth, it expands its retail presence to bolster sales.
For example, Apple opened its online store in India in September 2020, leading to an increase in sales. Three years later, the company opened two Apple Stores in the country, further boosting its presence.
Apple will seemingly follow a similar playbook in Saudi Arabia. It will first launch its online store in the summer of 2025. Then, in 2026, Apple will open the “first of several flagship Apple Store locations” in Saudi Arabia, the company said Sunday in a press release. One of the stores will be located in Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
“We’re excited to be expanding here in Saudi Arabia with the launch of the Apple Store online next year, and the first of several flagship Apple Store locations starting in 2026, including an iconic store at the stunning site of Diriyah coming later,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, in the press release. “Our teams are looking forward to deepening our connections with customers, and to bringing the best of Apple to help people across this country explore their passions, build their businesses, and take their ideas to the next level.”
In its press release, Apple also revealed that since 2019, the earnings of developers in Saudi Arabia have increased by more than 1,750%.
Cook has been visiting the Middle East in recent days, documenting stops in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia via his X account.
https://x.com/tim_cook/status/1866115218352562641
