Apple Retail Heading to Saudi Arabia

Apple (Cupertino, Calif.) has unveiled plans to begin retail operations in Saudi Arabia, starting with the launch of the Apple Store online in summer 2025, followed by several flagship stores starting the following year. One such locale is slated to open in Diriyah, a town on the northwestern outskirts of the Saudi capital Riyadh and a UNESCO World Heritage site. (The company offered no further specifics on the timing or locales of additional stores in the country.)

“We’re excited to be expanding here in Saudi Arabia with the launch of the Apple Store online next year, and the first of several flagship Apple Store locations starting in 2026, including an iconic store at the stunning site of Diriyah coming later,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “Our teams are looking forward to deepening our connections with customers, 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 electronics firm’s retail expansion builds on its existing investments and activities in the country. That includes the region’s first Apple Developer Academy, which opened in Riyadh in 2021 in partnership with the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Tuwaiq Academy and Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University.

Apple opened its first store in 2001, and that network has since grown to 530-plus locales in 27 countries and regions worldwide. (Nearly half those locations are in the U.S.)