Apple deepens retail investments in UAE and Saudi Arabia

Apple is intensifying its investment in retail stores in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, with new job roles appearing for stores in those nations.

The company is recruiting for a variety of roles in support of its business in both nations, with store staff supplemented by an army of tech support and other specialists it is currently recruiting.

Building the business in MEA

Apple previously promised to launch an online Apple Store in Saudi Arabia this summer, with the first brick-&-mortar stores next year, and will open its fifth store in UAE soon.

“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.

“The UAE is home to an incredible community of creators, innovators, developers, and entrepreneurs, and we’re excited to keep growing our teams, supporting local businesses, and strengthening our ties with our customers here,” he also said.

Regional development, too

It’s not all about retail, of course. India’s emergence as a hub for Apple manufacturing means the company wants to build its business across the region and has invested large amounts of money to that end. Apple’s retail expansion builds on its existing investments and activities in the country.

This includes the region’s first Apple Developer Academy, which opened in Riyadh in 2021 in partnership with the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Tuwaiq Academy, and Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University.

While little known, the company is building a product transportation hub in Riyadh, Saudia Arabia, presumably to help distribute its products across the region in future.

Saudi Minister for Transport and Logistics, Saleh Al-Jasser, explained Apple’s investment as follows: “Apple will set up a regional distribution center in the zone, as part of its plans to establish an assembly line, along with maintenance services and light manufacturing going forward.”

Taxing times

Market development steps like these seem all the more relevant as Trump’s tariffs cast a cold spell across business and consumer confidence everywhere – a spell which inevitably makes investments in new markets seem an even brighter idea to Apple in its search for future growth.

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