Apple agrees with Svyaznoy

The Russian retailer, in partnership with Apple, plans to open about 10 stores with Apple Premium Reseller (APR) status in the near future, Vedomosti reports.

But at the moment the agreement has not been signed yet. Presumably, the first store will open in Kazan next year, according to the competent employees of Svyaznoy .

As part of cooperation with a new partner, Apple intends to fight the gray market and increase its range of products in Russia. Although, as Alexander Malis, president of Euroset, notes, it would be enough to import new products in time for this.

Now there are 63 stores in Russia that are “approved” by Apple (having the status of Apple Premium Reseller). Most of them – 47 points – belong to the company re:Store. As its CEO Tikhon Smykov notes, there is a place for another network selling Apple devices on the Russian market, especially in the regions. But Apple imposes special requirements on its partners regarding both the design of stores and their location: they should be located on central streets or in premium shopping malls. 

Partners can spend up to $ 4-5 million on the design of Apple stores, Apple will compensate for these costs.