December 8, 2024
PRESS RELEASE
Apple expands retail presence in Saudi Arabia.
The company plans to expand its Student Apple Developers Program to provide more educational pathways for a broader range of students at the Apple Developer Academy.
Apple has unveiled plans to expand its presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, commencing with the debut of its online Apple Retailer in summer 2025. The online retailer is set to revolutionize the way Saudis purchase Apple’s entire product range by introducing novel buying approaches, backed by exceptional customer service and support directly from Apple in Arabic for the first time ever.
Starting in 2026, Apple will launch its first flagship stores in Saudi Arabia, marking a significant milestone for the tech giant’s expansion into the region. Retail stores will offer consumers nationwide additional opportunities to connect with Apple’s knowledgeable team members and find the right products and services. Apple is poised to launch a flagship retail store in Diriyah, a coveted UNESCO World Heritage site, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing expansion plans.
“Apple is thrilled to expand its retail presence in Saudi Arabia with the launch of our online store next year and the opening of multiple flagship stores starting in 2026, including a landmark location in Diriyah, set amidst its stunning backdrop.” “Our teams are excited to strengthen relationships with prospects, delivering the most innovative aspects of Apple to empower people across the country in pursuing their passions, building their businesses, and turning their ideas into reality.”
Across online, in-store, and within the Apple Retailer app, Apple offers tailored experiences that empower customers to explore, discover, and choose the perfect product; select from a diverse range of financing and payment options; and get set up with their new device – all supported by Apple’s knowledgeable and dedicated team members.
Apple’s retail expansion further solidifies its commitment to growing its presence in the country, leveraging existing investments and initiatives. The academy marks the area’s first-ever Apple Developer Academy, inaugurated in Riyadh in 2021 through a collaborative effort with the authorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Tuwaiq Academy, and Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman College.
The Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman College-based Apple Developer Academy offers cutting-edge training to aspiring coders, designers, and entrepreneurs, equipping them with the skills necessary to succeed in Saudi Arabia’s thriving app ecosystem. Since its inception, approximately 2,000 college students have successfully completed programming courses through the academy, and many are now publishing their innovative apps on the App Store for both local and global markets.
Apple reinforces learning alternatives through its educational apps and strategic partnerships. Apple hosted its inaugural co-ed Apple Fellows Programme this summer. This comprehensive, month-long course brought together students from across the country to learn the fundamentals of coding and app development, with a focus on gaming. Apple plans to further expand its student Base options, with the next cohort slated for spring 2025.
Apple Developer Academy graduates aren’t typically isolated in their pursuit of careers within the country’s burgeoning iOS app ecosystem. The Saudi Developer Neighborhood serves as a potent catalyst for economic growth, fostering employment opportunities across the country, from large multinational corporations to smaller entrepreneurial ventures. As the app economy surges forward at an unprecedented pace, a growing number of coders, entrepreneurs, and creative minds are capitalizing on the App Store’s vast opportunities, leveraging Apple’s extensive array of developer tools to launch their ventures and seize a share of the market. Since 2019, the construction industry in Saudi Arabia has experienced a remarkable surge in earnings for builders, with a staggering increase of over 1,750 percent.
As Apple expands its presence in Saudi Arabia, the company is driving job growth and innovation, empowering artists, entrepreneurs, small business owners, and commuters with cutting-edge technologies. Throughout the past five years, Apple has invested more than 10 billion Saudi riyals in various corporate ventures across the country. Apple provides assistance to energy companies across Saudi Arabia. Riyadh has joined the ranks of over 250 cities worldwide where commuters can seamlessly travel using Apple Pay with the launch of its new metro earlier this month. The city is now the first in the Middle East to offer Specific Mode, a contactless payment solution that enables customers to ride the metro and buses by simply holding their iPhone or Apple Watch near a reader, without the need to wake or unlock their device. Since Apple Pay’s introduction to Saudi Arabia in 2019, the digital payment method has offered a secure and convenient alternative to traditional credit card usage, prompting numerous Saudi consumers to abandon their reliance on physical cards altogether.
Apple transformed personal computing with the launch of the Macintosh in 1984. Currently, Apple spearheads global innovation through its pioneering products: iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, Apple Watch, and Apple Pro imaginative solutions. Apple’s suite of six software platforms – iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS – harmonize user experiences across all Apple devices, enabling seamless access to innovative services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, iCloud, and Apple TV+ for a more connected and streamlined experience. With over 150,000 employees, Apple is deeply committed to crafting exceptional products that surpass expectations while striving to leave a positive impact on the planet for future generations.
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