Apple doesn’t have an official retail presence in the Middle East… yet. Recent job listings spotted by ifoAppleStore indicate that the company is looking to open at least one store in the United Arab Emirates by next year.
“The job listings appeared yesterday, and include the full range of store positions from Store and Market Leader, Manager, Expert, Creative and Specialist,” according to ifoAppleStore. “The listings also include the Apple Store Leader Program, a 24-month development program for those who have just graduated from higher education.” Apple has previously posted for positions like Facilities Manager, Business Affairs Manager, and Senior Managing Producer in the UAE.
While we don’t know the exact location of where the first Middle Eastern Apple Store will be, Dubai seems like an obvious choice. It’s an incredibly wealthy, technologically-advanced city with upscale malls that attract a lot of international tourists.
Interestingly, rumors of Apple opening a store in Dubai were widely reported back in 2011. The store ended up not happening.
Tim Cook visited the UAE and met with its prime minister earlier this year, which also bodes well for Apple’s retail expansion in the area. Only unofficial Apple resellers have been operating in the Middle East, although Apple did recently partner with a reseller officially in Saudi Arabia.
