Saudi Arabia — image credit: US Department of State
Apple has announced a massive retail expansion in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including flagship stores, as well as an Apple Developer Academy.
“We’re excited to be expanding here in Saudi Arabia with the launch of the Apple Store online next year,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, in a statement, “and the first of several flagship Apple Store locations starting in 2026, including an iconic store at the stunning site of Diriyah coming later.”
“Our teams are looking forward to deepening our connections with customers,” he continued, “and to bringing the best of Apple to help people across this country explore their passions, build their businesses, and take their ideas to the next level.”
The online Apple Store is to launch in the summer of 2025, marking the first time customers in the country have been able to buy directly from Apple. An unspecified number of physical stores will then begin to open across Saudi Arabia starting in 2026.
Currently, customers in Saudi Arabia have to buy Apple devices through an assortment of third-party resellers. Even so, according to Ubuy, Apple’s iPhone is the best selling smartphone in the country, with the latest figures showing it having a 46% share of the market.
Apple also says that it will be expanding its current developer academy program in the region. Apple built its first academy in the country’s capital city, Riyadh, in 2021.
