Apple has been opening plenty of Apple stores in China, but it could go even further into East Asia with a brand new retail store — based directly across the street from Samsung’s headquarters in Seoul, South Korea.
We guess Tim Cook’s been taking trolling notes again!
[contextly_auto_sidebar]
According to the report, Apple retail execs have been scoping out areas in Seoul’s upscale Gangnam neighborhood, where Samsung’s HQ is based. One possible site is close to the Gangnam subway station, while another is in Seoul’s fashionable Garosu-gil shopping street.
When asked by the Wall Street Journal, Apple deflected by saying that, “We have made no announcements about a store [in South Korea].” Even if Apple does decide to go ahead with its plans, though, it would likely take around one year for them to be finalized and the necessary construction and renovation work carried out.
Moving into South Korea would certainly be a ballsy move for Apple, underlining how serious it is about growing its brand in the East Asia region. Currently. smartphone sales are dominated in South Korea by local brands Samsung and LG Electronics, who represent around 80 percent of the smartphone market. Apple, by comparison, makes up slightly less than 10 percent.
Right now, Apple has no branded-store retail presence in the country, and instead relies on third-party retailers. However, it has been rapidly growing its presence elsewhere in surrounding countries — with 36 stores located in mainland China, a further six in Hong Kong, and another seven in Japan.
Hey, at least opening an Apple Store opposite Samsung’s HQ could save the latter company money on R&D. All they’d need to invest in would be a telescope and notepad!
