Recruitment of staff has begun as Apple Inc plans to open its first Apple Store in Taiwan, the US technology giant said yesterday.
Apple released a list of job ads on its Taiwan site, seeking candidates for retail positions, such as “store leader,” “expert,” “manager” and “genius,” a position unique to Apple Store responsible for helping customers with questions on Apple products.
In a statement released by Apple, the company confirmed the recruiting drive was for staff at its first Apple Store in Taiwan, which is to be located in Taipei.
The company did not disclose the exact date when the store would be opened or where it would be located, and the job ads only gave descriptions of the work, but no information about pay, benefits or work location.
Apple Store currently operates outlets in 19 countries or regions, including Japan, China, Hong Kong and Macau in Asia, while other markets are served by its online store or brick-and-mortar outlets of licensed retailers, such as Studio A Electronic Corp (晶實科技) and Data Express Infotech Co (德誼數位科技) in Taiwan.
“You cannot stop a typhoon if it is coming your way,” Data Express president Andy Tu (杜偉昱) said in response to the planned Apple Store.
Tu said there have long been rumors about Apple Store’s plan to enter Taiwan, but he said his chain, which has 50 outlets in Taiwan, would continue to provide a different kind of appeal.
Apple opened its first retail store in the US in 2001, offering sales of its products and accessories, as well as post-sale services.
The company confirmed its plan to open the first Apple Store in Southeast Asia, in Singapore, late last year, and construction of the store began earlier this year, according to local media reports, but no opening date has been announced.
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