Al Arabiya News:
In the first deal of its kind in the Middle East, Apple has inked an agreement with Saudi bookshop Jarir to supply all Apple products through the outlet, as well as providing an after-sales service.
In an interview with Al Arabiya News Channel, Jarir’s chairman, Mohammad al-Aqeel, said that this agreement will allow the prices of Apple products sold at Jarir branches to be slightly reduced.
The question many ask is, “Why doesn’t Apple open their own retail outlet?” Remember, this kind of “store within a store” idea is what Apple initially did to test the retail concept before the first US Apple Retail Stores opened. They are likely doing the same in the Middle East.
I help create educational material for a living. Most of it ends up around the world in nearly every nation. Including Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries. We have to modify our materials before they’re allowed into Saudi Arabia. No pictures of women. No pictures of Hasidic Jews. (In our industry, that’s sort of like telling ESPN no videos of black basketball players!)
So imagine an Apple Store in Saudi Arabia. The marketing is going to be greatly compromised there. This is probably a much easier approach.