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Apple CEO Tim Cook Meets Czech Prime Minister, Promises New Apple Store in Prague

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Apple CEO Tim Cook is in Davos, Switzerland for the World Economic Forum this week, and today he met with Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš.

Babiš shared photos of his meeting with Cook on Facebook (via Letemsvetemapplem.eu), and provided some details on what the two discussed. According to Babiš, the two talked about technology in the Czech Republic, also touching on topics such as AI and the economy.

timcookbabis
Cook was "thrilled" that there are 500 researchers working in AI in the Czech Republic, and when Babiš asked about an Apple Store for Prague, Cook said that Apple was indeed prepared to open a new ‌Apple Store‌ in the city.

Babiš said the ideal place for the ‌Apple Store‌ would be the Ministry of Regional Development building in the Old Town Square, but should Apple move forward with plans, it's not clear where the store would be located. Apple currently has no retail stores in the Czech Republic.

Cook yesterday met with the Crown Prince of Dubai, and earlier in the week, Cook met with the Armenian Prime Minister and had dinner with Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, and more.

Top Rated Comments

102 months ago
But in Prague it’s people sight seeing and drinking beer on the old town.

There’s no real retail on old town square beyond cheap cheap holiday gifts.
In Prague are more locations suitable for Apple store. Among old town square most prominent (as 5th avenue in NY) are Venceslas square, Na Prikopech street and Parizska (Paris) street.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
102 months ago
Old town square would be a terrible place for the Apple store...

It’d be full of people with no intention of buying anything.

Surely a shopping area would be better?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
102 months ago
I hope those promises will become reality. I'm not fan of APR shops in Czech Republic, much worse services than Apple Stores and overpriced repairs.

And Babiš :D 2nd richest Czech citizen / prime minister... not his fan either...
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
102 months ago
No these are apple's own ads like the ones MR has been sharing. Occasionally you'll see mention of a reseller or carrier but rarely. Apple are struggling here and lack of presence is going to be one of many factors. Prime time Ads just aren't enough. Microsoft and Google have a strong presence in NZ, you can see their lobbying paying off in public spending, schools etc. Samsung seems to control the written media editorial on the mobile market.
In Australia Apple iPhone ads offend had a carrier logo at the very end, apparently Apple and the carriers share some of the advertising costs. More people upgrading to the new iPhone is good for the big 3 carriers as well as Apple.
I don't know the New Zealand market, but could it be partly that Apple products in general are too expensive in NZ?
What is the iPhone market share in NZ? Kantar Worldpanel ('https://www.kantarworldpanel.com/global/smartphone-os-market-share/') publishers smart phone data for Australia, we have a similar Android/iOS ratios as the US. My guess NZ would look more like AU than the EU.
There were no Apple stores in Australia until '08, then Apple open many in quick succession. Looking store id numbers ('http://applestorefronts.appspot.com/australia/old/small'), most of the Australian ones are in the 200's and 300's. There haven't been many more new stores open recently. The only possible new store is Federation Square ('https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-12-20/federation-square-building-demolished-for-apple-store/9275498'), and that would be a flag ship store that Apple has been trying to open for years. If when New Zealand gets an Apple Store I would bet it would be 4 or 5 within 12-18 months.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Seoras Avatar
102 months ago
Logistics. You are over a thousand miles from anywhere. A store in Wellington could not be supported efficiently by a central repair depot. And keeping an isolated store fully stocked is expensive, without the ability to share inventory between stores or utilize a central warehouse. I doubt you have the turnover to support this economically.
I'm from Scotland. Population size is 5.5million compared to 4.7 million in NZ. Auckland is equal in size to Glasgow and Wellington is similar to Edinburgh.
Glasgow has not 1 but 2 Apple stores. Edinburgh got its own 4 years ago.
I don't buy into your arguments at all. It's got nothing to do with "isolation", in a world made smaller by modern transport and shipping.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
102 months ago
This is exactly the type of location that Apple picks in many cities. Look at Placa de Catalunya in Barcelona, the Amsterdam store, or the old Louvre store in Paris. All areas with heavy foot traffic and lots of tourists, but not really traditional shopping areas.

Putting Apple Stores in these places they capture well-heeled tourists who probably have time on their hands. Even if they don't buy anything on the spot, they're being exposed to the brand and might think about Apple when they get home...
But in Prague it’s people sight seeing and drinking beer on the old town.

There’s no real retail on old town square beyond cheap cheap holiday gifts.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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