Apple To Launch First Physical Stores In Saudi Arabia

Companies

Apple To Launch First Physical Stores In Saudi Arabia

December 12, 2024

Apple is set to expand in Saudi Arabia with the launch of an online store in the summer 2025 and finally its first Apple Stores from 2026.

A flagship store is also due to be opened in the Diriyah UNESCO World Heritage site.

This expansion builds on Apple’s investments in the Kingdom, including the all women Developer Academy in Riyadh, which has trained nearly 2,000 students since 2021.

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Opening Apple Stores in Saudi Arabia

The expansion by Apple, a global technology giant renowned for its innovative products and services, into Saudi Arabia in 2025 marks a pivotal moment for the Cupertino-based company as it prepares to bring its signature retail experience to one of the Middle East’s most dynamic markets.

This move is set to redefine the landscape of consumer electronics shopping in the Kingdom, offering Saudi customers unprecedented access to the brand’s ecosystem of products and services.

Online Store Launch of Apple

In a strategic first step, the tech giant plans to launch its online store in Saudi Arabia during the summer of 2025. This digital platform will serve as a gateway for Saudi consumers to explore and purchase the full range of the company’s products, from smartphones and tablets to computers and wearables.

One of the most significant aspects of this digital launch is the introduction of Arabic language support. For the first time, Saudi customers will have access to product information, customer support, and the entire purchasing process in their native language.

This localization effort demonstrates the company’s commitment to providing a tailored experience for the Saudi market, ensuring that customers can confidently engage with the brand.

The online store will also feature the brand’s signature personalized shopping experience, allowing customers to compare products, explore financing options, and receive setup assistance—all from the comfort of their homes.

Apple’s Flagship Retail Presence

Following the online store’s debut, the company has ambitious plans to establish a physical retail presence in Saudi Arabia. Starting in 2026, the tech giant will begin opening its first flagship stores in key locations across the Kingdom.

These stores will be more than just points of sale; they will serve as hubs of innovation, education, and community engagement.

Visitors will find knowledgeable staff ready to provide expert advice, hands-on product demonstrations, and personalized recommendations. It will also host workshops, seminars, and creative sessions, fostering a sense of community and empowering Saudi consumers to make the most of their devices.

Flagship Store in Diriyah

Apple is also in the initial planning stages for an iconic retail store in Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The proposed Diriyah store is set to be an architectural marvel designed to complement and enhance the historic surroundings while showcasing the brand’s signature minimalist aesthetic.

The store’s design will likely incorporate elements of traditional Saudi architecture, creating a space that feels both familiar and futuristic to visitors.

It will offer a unique retail experience where customers can explore the latest innovations against centuries-old history, creating a powerful juxtaposition highlighting Saudi Arabia’s journey into the digital age.

Apple Developer Academy

The retail expansion in Saudi Arabia is not just about selling products; it’s part of a broader strategy to invest in the country’s digital future. The company has already made significant strides in this direction with its educational initiatives, particularly the Apple Developer Academy.

Launched in 2021 in partnership with the Saudi government, Tuwaiq Academy, and Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, the Apple Developer Academy in Riyadh stands as a testament to the company’s commitment to fostering local talent.

This all-women academy has become a beacon of empowerment, offering world-class training to aspiring coders, designers, and entrepreneurs.

Since its inception, the academy has seen remarkable success, with nearly 2,000 students completing programming courses. These graduates are now actively contributing to the Saudi app economy, publishing their creations on the App Store and reaching both domestic and global audiences.

Expanding Coed Learning Opportunities

Building on the success of the women’s academy, the company has taken steps to broaden its educational reach. In the summer of 2024, it hosted Saudi Arabia’s first coed Apple Foundation Program.

This intensive monthlong course brought together students from across the country, focusing on coding and app development fundamentals, with a special emphasis on gaming.

The positive response to this initiative has prompted plans for expansion. The next cohort of the coed Foundation Program is scheduled for spring 2025, signaling the company’s ongoing commitment to nurturing talent across genders and regions in Saudi Arabia.

Apple Pay in Saudi Arabia

Since its launch in Saudi Arabia in 2019, Apple Pay has revolutionized how Saudi consumers transact. This contactless payment method offers unparalleled security and convenience, leading many Saudi customers to abandon their plastic cards entirely in favor of digital payments.

The adoption of Apple Pay in Saudi Arabia aligns with the Kingdom’s push towards a cashless society, as outlined in its Vision 2030 plan.

By providing a secure and user-friendly digital payment solution, the company is contributing to the modernization of Saudi Arabia’s financial infrastructure and helping to reduce the reliance on cash transactions.

Reshaping Saudi Electronics Market

The tech giant’s ambitious expansion plans in Saudi Arabia mark a new chapter in the Kingdom’s digital transformation journey.

From launching an Arabic-language online store to establishing iconic retail locations, including a flagship store in the historic Diriyah UNESCO World Heritage site, these initiatives promise to revolutionize the Saudi consumer electronics market.