APPLE STORE BEIJING, CHINA GRAND OPENING
Saturday was the grand opening of the official Apple store in Beijing, China. Located in the courtyard of the Sanlitun shopping development (northeast in the SanLiTun District, home to the city's embassies), with no less than a 400 person zig-zag line to enter the store. 85 people had camped out on Friday night to be at the front of the line to enter like at rock concerts to get tickets.
Apple originally planned to open a store along Qianmen Street near Tianemen Square in city center. Unfortunately the area was not able to be finished in time for Apple to build it's store. Another store is planned to open later in 2008. The Sanlitun location is somewhat hard to find--it's the a little hidden and out-of-the-way location, unlike other stores on Regent Street in London or Fifth Avenue in New York.
The Apple staff handed out commemorative Apple T-shirts in boxes to the entrants as they walked into the store. The customers headed straight to the products and showed an great interest in displayed items. Every display was coveted by people holding, touching, trying all the items and camera phones snapping photos of the stairway.
The Apple store in Beijing will be the only true Apple retail outlet within 1,300 miles (Japan). The Apple store architecture with it's back-lit Apple logo will help strengthen the brand's service and position in Asia. Many Apple customers from around the world will appreciate the ability to have top quality service and not send their equipment away for service and assistance.
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