Latest news with #Tamara
Gulf Insider
4 hours ago
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Apple Launches Online Store In Saudi Arabia With Arabic Support
Apple has expanded its retail presence in Saudi Arabia by launching the Apple Store online and the Apple Store app, which offer support in Arabic for the first time. Customers can now shop Apple's full range of products with exceptional service from dedicated team members. Free engraving in Arabic and English is available for items like AirPods and Apple Pencil. To support flexible shopping, the Apple Store online will offer an affordability option through Tamara. With Buy Now Pay Later, customers can shop their favorite lineups and pay in four-month installments at 0 percent interest. Deirdre O'Brien, Apple's senior vice president of Retail and People, stated, 'We are excited to bring the Apple Store online and app to Saudi Arabia, providing customers with a new way to explore our products and services.' Apple plans to open several flagship stores in Saudi Arabia starting in 2026, including a remarkable location in Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This expansion builds on Apple's existing initiatives in the region, including the first Apple Developer Academy, which opened in Riyadh in 2021.
TECHx
8 hours ago
- Business
- TECHx
Apple Store Online Launches in Saudi Arabia
Home » Latest news » Apple Store Online Launches in Saudi Arabia Apple has announced the expansion of its retail presence into Saudi Arabia with the launch of the Apple Store online and the Apple Store app. This marks the first time customers in the Kingdom can access Apple's full range of products and services directly in Arabic. The launch introduces a new way for customers in Saudi Arabia to explore, shop, and receive support from Apple. Deirdre O'Brien, Apple's Senior Vice President of Retail and People, said the company is excited to connect with customers and help them experience how Apple innovations can enrich daily life. The Apple Store online offers a personalized shopping experience tailored to users' existing Apple products. Through the Apple Store app, customers can compare models, save items, and track orders with ease. Apple has also introduced configure-to-order options for Mac, allowing users to customize chips, memory, and storage. For the first time, customers can enjoy free engraving in both Arabic and English on selected products such as AirPods, AirTag, Apple Pencil, and more. • Customers can personalize their Apple Watch combinations • iPhone 16 lineup features Apple Intelligence and enhanced privacy Apple also revealed a range of retail services for Saudi Arabia. Shoppers can get live support via chat or phone to choose the right product. After purchasing, Apple team members are available online for help with setup, switching to iOS, and cellular activation. To improve accessibility, Apple introduced an affordability solution via Tamara, offering Buy Now Pay Later with four monthly installments at 0% interest. The Apple Trade In program is now available in Saudi Arabia. Customers can exchange eligible devices for credit or have them recycled for free. AppleCare+ will provide customers with two years of expert support and device protection. The Apple Education Store is also now active in the Kingdom. Students, parents, and educators can enjoy discounts on Mac and iPad. A back-to-school offer is running until October 21, offering free AirPods or another accessory with eligible purchases. Apple has further announced plans to open its first physical Apple Store locations in Saudi Arabia by 2026. The first flagship location is expected in Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This expansion builds on Apple's ongoing investments in the region, including the Apple Developer Academy, which launched in Riyadh in 2021 in partnership with the Saudi government, Tuwaiq Academy, and Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University.
Economy ME
9 hours ago
- Business
- Economy ME
Apple introduces localized shopping experience in Saudi Arabia with new online store, app
Apple has broadened its retail footprint in Saudi Arabia by launching the Apple Store online and the Apple Store app, which now provide support in Arabic for the first time. Customers can explore Apple's complete range of products while enjoying exceptional service from dedicated team members, according to a statement . Free engraving in both Arabic and English is offered for items such as AirPods and the Apple Pencil. To facilitate flexible shopping, the Apple Store online will introduce an affordability option through Tamara. With the Buy Now Pay Later feature, customers can shop their preferred lineups and pay in four-month installments at 0 percent interest. Deirdre O'Brien, Apple's senior vice president of Retail and People, expressed, 'We are excited to bring the Apple Store online and app to Saudi Arabia, providing customers with a new way to explore our products and services.' Last month, Apple revealed its intention to open its first official Apple Store in Egypt, marking a significant milestone in the company's broader ambitions to expand throughout Africa and the Middle East. Talks between Apple and Egypt's government have emphasized Cairo's strategic significance as a hub for digital innovation. The new store is set to provide direct access to Apple's products and services, invigorate the local tech ecosystem, and create high-quality local job opportunities. This initiative builds upon Apple's existing regional support centers and training facilities already established in Egypt. Apple plans to launch several flagship stores in Saudi Arabia starting in 2026, including a remarkable location in Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This expansion complements Apple's ongoing initiatives in the region, such as the first Apple Developer Academy, which opened in Riyadh in 2021. (Photo Credit: Apple) Read more: Apple tops iPhone market in China with 15 percent global sales growth, strongest since COVID Apple expands in UAE and Egypt Apple has reaffirmed its commitment to the Gulf region by inaugurating additional flagship retail stores in the UAE, with a fifth store launched recently. The UAE remains a crucial market, providing customized customer experiences and complete access to Apple's lineup of products and services in both English and Arabic. The expansion within the UAE coincided with high-profile visits from Apple leadership, including Tim Cook, highlighting the strategic importance of the region to the company's global growth objectives. In India, Apple has made swift advancements by launching two official Apple Stores in 2023 and announcing plans for four more locations in major metro areas, with anticipated openings in Bengaluru, Pune, and an expanded presence in Mumbai and Delhi-NCR. These stores are integral to Apple's broader retail strategy in emerging growth markets, which emphasizes localized services, multi-language support, and unique retail experiences. Key Features Mirroring Saudi Expansion: Localized language support is increasingly featured in regional online stores and apps, enhancing accessibility and service. The personalized retail experience is part of Apple's global retail rollout model, which includes tailored recommendations, integrated payment and financing support, and local customer care. Investment in education is evidenced by initiatives like the Apple Developer Academy and Foundation Program, which offer learning opportunities that often accompany Apple's retail entry into new countries. Flagship store locations are strategically launched—such as plans for an iconic store at a UNESCO World Heritage site in Saudi Arabia and key flagship sites in the UAE and India—underscoring Apple's commitment to creating local destination retail experiences.
Arab News
11 hours ago
- Business
- Arab News
Apple launches online store in Saudi Arabia with Arabic support, local delivery
RIYADH: US tech giant Apple has launched its online store and Apple Store app in Saudi Arabia, offering next-day delivery and, for the first time, direct Arabic-language support. 'This launch will make the 40th country and territory around the world with an Apple Store online,' Karen Rasmussen, Apple's head of Online Retail, said. 'It is going to be our first Apple Store online fully in Arabic,' she added. Originally launched in 1997, Apple's online store has since expanded to over 40 countries and territories worldwide. Starting July 22, customers in Saudi Arabia can shop for Apple products online through the website or the app, with the promise of faster delivery, new customization options, and local-language support. The site offers Arabic and English customer service, flexible payment options, and product personalization. The Apple executive noted that most orders will be delivered the next day. 'We built a distribution center in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to be able to support all of our customers in the fastest possible way,' Rasmussen told Arab News. Free engraving is now available in both Arabic and English, allowing customers to personalize products such as AirPods, Apple Pencil, and AirTag with text, emoji, and numbers. The company has partnered with Saudi-based buy-now-pay-later platform Tamara to offer customers the ability to pay in four monthly installments at zero percent interest. Apple is also introducing Arabic-language, in-country shopping assistance. 'We will provide in-country, in-Arabic shopping support, where a specialist is trained exactly the same way as any Apple specialist, whether online or in the store,' she said. Hardware support and express replacement services will also be available in Arabic through the new online platform. AppleCare+ has been updated to allow customers to subscribe on a monthly basis, rather than making a single annual payment. Another addition is Apple Trade In, which enables Saudi customers to exchange their current Apple devices for credit toward new purchases. The Apple Education Store will also be accessible through the online platform, offering special pricing on Macs and iPads for university students, educators, and their families. 'All year long, we offer special education discounts for verified students and educators,' Rasmussen explained. Additionally, a back-to-school offer valid until Oct. 21 will give eligible buyers the option to receive AirPods or another accessory when purchasing an eligible Mac or iPad. However, the long-awaited question on the minds of Apple device users in Saudi Arabia is: When will there be a physical store in the Kingdom? The company confirmed plans to open its first flagship Apple Store in Saudi Arabia in 2026. 'We absolutely have plans to open stores in the country as well, starting in 2026,' she said. 'My favorite store, which is coming a little after that, is going to be the one we are planning in Diriyah,' added Rasmussen. Apple is currently in the early planning stages for a second store in Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage site. When asked about the first physical store's location, Rasmussen said: 'It's a subsequent store... We have been partnering very particularly on the Diriyah site, but it's not going to be the first one,' she told Arab News. 'The investment in Saudi Arabia is something that Apple has been very focused on for a very long time,' Rasmussen stated. 'This is just one step in a broader journey of long-term investment in the Kingdom.' 'Up until now, for the past five years, we have spent more than SR10 billion ($2.67 billion) in development initiatives such as the Apple Developer Academy,' the head of online retail told Arab News.
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Urgent need to boost SME competitiveness and diversify trade
AS MCA Vice President and Member of Parliament for Tanjung Piai, I urge the government to address the serious economic challenges our country is facing, particularly the potential ripple effects of the United States imposing high retaliatory tariffs on Malaysian exports. According to Dr Tamara, a Southeast Asia economist at Bloomberg, if the "triple whammy" effect of US tariffs persists, Malaysia's economic growth in 2025 could fall below 4%. Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Full access to Web and App. RM 13.90/month RM 9.73 /month Billed as RM 9.73 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter. RM 12.39/month RM 8.63 /month Billed as RM 103.60 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.
