Apple is preparing to open a third retail store in Turkey, reports MacReports, citing a source familiar with the company's plans. Set to open in Istanbul, the store will launch later in 2016.
Apple is said to be in the process of hiring for retail positions at the store and has posted advertisements on job sites in Turkey. The store will reportedly be located at the Emaar Square Mall in Istanbul. Still under constriction, the Emaar Square Mall will feature 491 stores and restaurants, a hotel, and apartment space for residents.
Emaar Square rendering, via MacReports
When it launches, the Emaar Square Apple Store will be the third Apple retail location in Istanbul, joining retail stores at Zorlu Mall and Akasya Mall, both of which opened in 2014. Turkey's Zorlu store opened with quite a fanfare as it featured a unique design with an all glass exterior.
Top Rated Comments
But the main reason is population, there are 17m people living in Istanbul and 2 stores are always overcrowded. And Genius appointments cannot be done since there are no free slots all year :/
It looks like The Sims.
Still, I agree, it is strange that Apple still does not have any stores in Vienna, Dublin or Singapore. Sales experience and after sale service is a big part of the value proposition of Apple, so it is amazing that Apple is able to sell as briskly as it does in places where it does not have any stores (or too few to make them practical options).
In any case, Istanbul is a very big town, with more people living there than the population of many European countries (Belgium, Greece, Norway, Switzerland etc.) It is also a popular tourist destination. Even though typical income level is not that high, enough people can afford Apple products that people stay up till midnight to see if they can get a Genius appointment, because all slots are taken a few minutes later.