Apple to open first Taiwan store in Taipei 101 mall

Tech giant Apple  is reportedly eyeing Taipei 101 mall as the location for its first retail store in Taiwan, according to an industry insider, with no official opening date given by the source.

Located on the first basement level of the mall, the debut Taiwanese store will be spread over 1,322 square meters. It is expected that the branch will be fitted out in Apple’s new retail design, which is already being rolled out across the US.

Further consolidating Apple’s push into Taipei, Apple premium reseller Studio A will close its shop on April 17, Studio A president Cheng Ying-lung told local media.

Cheng said the Studio A store in Taipei 101 has seen a decline in sales over the past three months, due mainly to a drop in tourist arrivals from China.

Last July, Apple posted its first job listings for Taiwan, which were followed by a confirmation of its plans to set up a store in the country.

However, Apple did not say when the shop would be opened or where in Taiwan it would be located.

Apple boasts nearly 500 retail stores in 19 countries and online stores available in 39 countries.

After the US, China is Apple’s biggest market. Apple’s latest store opening was in China’s Nanjing in early April, one day after a Beijing court ruled in favour of Apple pertaining to a patent feud the US smartphone maker is having with Shenzhen Baili Marketing Services Co.

The local manufacturer claims Apple stole its exterior designs, which the court found not to be the case.