The first Apple store has officially opened in Beijing, China. Hundreds of people lined up to be one of the first customers to the new store. While most of Apple’s products sold in China still go for a premium price compared to the Apple stores in the US, many Chinese are still enthusiastic about Apple officially offering their products in mainland China. In the land of knock-offs and counterfeits many prefer the real deal because of the higher quality and the status symbol of owning a real Apple product. Although Apple products have been available in China for years it was always through third parties and special retailers, or just plain smuggling.
The iPhone has been smuggled into China for some time now, but many were drawn to the first Apple retail store in general. A second store is expected to open in Beijing in 2009 and more expected after that.
-Ray
[Source: macworld ]
July 22, 2008
Apple News