Apple is preparing to open its third store in Beijing, this one will be on the famous Wangfujing shopping street. The three story location is about to take the title of the largest store in Asia.
The Next Web (in conjunction with the Beijinger) attended a media preview on Thursday where Apple Senior Vice President John Browett discussed the company’s commitment to China. He recounted a personal anecdote about the first time he came to China in 1986 as a student and stood on the same corner where the new Wangfujing store is located.
“Who could have believed what happened in China in 25 years, let alone what’s happened with Apple,” he said.
TNW says Browett went so far as to say her thinks the new location is the best store Apple has built in Asia so far. The new store would grab that unofficial title from the IFC Hong Kong store, which was Apple’s most expensive store to date upon opening last year.
The new store brings the number of Apple Stores in China to six. The company operates nearly 390 locations worldwide.
The Wangufjing location will be staffed with 300 retail employees, bringing the total number of employees in Beijing to over 800.
Two firsts of note for the new store, the triple-height glass staircase, the first in Asia, and the two 360-degree Genius Bars, which will allow customers to stand next to the technicians instead of across the bar from them.
The store will include training space on both the second floor and basement.
“Training in China is very, very popular because this is the first time that people are using these devices,” Browett said.
Apple is already planning more stores in other cities, saying the company’s goal is to eventually serve “every customer in every city” Browett did admit that it’s going to take “some time.”
