Apple' reopens the newly renovated Beijing store with its first integrated solar array on Friday, July 17.
The megastore is located in Sanlitun, Beijing's upscale shopping district, which replaced the first Apple store in China. It is twice the size of the original shop back in 2008 and will be completely powered by the solar array like all other Apple facilities across the globe.
Sitting adjacent to the previous location on Taikoo Li's open square in Sanlitun, the brand new store is twice the size of the original and introduces several firsts for Apple in China. It is also opening with the same comprehensive health and safety procedures currently in place across all Apple Store locations for employees and visitors, including a mask requirement, temperature checks, and social distancing before entry and inside the store.
Apple's senior vice president of Retail+ People Deirdre O'Brien said the Sanlitun store "sets a new standard" for the company's retail operations in China. "We're thrilled to build on our history in Beijing," said O'Brien.
The Sanlitun store will follow the current health and safety protocols being followed in all Apple Store locations. These include asking all the staff and guests to wear masks, have their temperature checked, and to observe social distancing before entering the store and while inside the store.
O'Brien also hoped to operate all its stores worldwide while focusing on the health and safety of our customers and teams. Meanwhile, the company has been providing clean energy in China enough to power over 450,000 homes every year.
Apple Sanlintun: What to expect?
While Apple Sanlintun maybe has existed for 12 years, attracting more than 22 million visitors throughout the years, it has been revamped so much that it looks like a brand new store. Aside from the solar array and huge change in size, it features numerous design updates in Apple's latest retail like a viewing gallery, boardroom, and a forum.
Located in the grand upper level, guests can enjoy seeing the outdoors through the Viewing Gallery. The forum will be where Apple will host some events featuring Beijing's greatest musicians, artists, as well as creative experts. Meanwhile, the Boardroom is exclusive for the Apple team's mentoring activities with the local business.
The Apple Sanlitun's family has grown from 52 staff in 2008 to 185 this year and they can provide superb service to millions of visitors in the coming years.
Barr's criticisms over Apple in China
On Thursday, July 16, Attorney General William Barr criticized Apple for its "acquiescence to the Chinese Communists." Barr also attacked the tech giant Apple for banning apps such as politically sensitive services or regulatory gaps.
However, Apple's relationship with China is longstanding from having massive factories in the "iPhone City" in Zhengzhou, China where 350,000 employees create half of the world's iPhone production. Also, Apple has a great market share in the Chinese economy.
However, according to Shanghai-based CINNO Research, iPhone sales slightly fell from 3.9 million in April to 3.6 million in May due to the coronavirus pandemic. Yet, Apple's business is optimistic as the country continues to recover.
Read also: Every Detail You Need to Know for the Upcoming Samsung's Galaxy Note 20 Event
