Hong Kong Apple Store

This past Saturday morning was a momentous one in Hong Kong. The first and only Apple Store opened in the IFC Mall. This store has been credited as the largest one in the world covering 20,000 sq. ft. on two levels.

We had heard the store was opening this fall when we first arrived. What we didn't know till recently was that it would be in our local mall. The decision was made to be in the center of Central and that put it at IFC. On Friday night we were at the mall for a movie and decided to walk to the other end and see how it was looking. As one might expect there were people milling around (including us) and quite a few in the queue even though the store would not open till 9 A.M. the next morning.

We did not return on Saturday even though the first 3000 customers got a free T-shirt. The interviews in the paper showed how anticipated this opening was. Many were locals just happy not to have to go to a reseller any more, while others were groupies who have been to 40 or 50 store openings around the world.


We did return on Sunday to get a look inside. As you might expect, it was jammed. The store is long and narrow with a huge spiral staircase in the center.

Halfway up the stairs I snapped a shot of half of the downstairs selling floor...

 The other side looked the same as did the set-up area on the second floor. We were among the minority, non buyers. If you are a Mac person, you can see how this is a very big deal. Most of the store looks like any Mac store in any big city (just larger). But there was one detail added to this store that is fantastic. When you enter the doors, the far wall has been replaced with glass and views of Wan Chai and Victoria Harbor. Wow!