The rumours are
indeed true! Apple Marina Bay Sands, the first Apple store in the world that
floats on the water, is opening soon in Singapore. This is Singapore’s third
Apple Store, with the first one opening on Orchard Road in 2017, followed by a
second at Jewel Changi Airport last year. During a visit to Singapore in
December 2019, Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly commented on the busyness of the
current locations, adding that the city-state `could use a third store.`
Apple’s worldwide retail network may be struggling during the coronavirus
pandemic, but that hasn’t stopped the company from indulging in its penchant
for pricey-looking, unique, and outlandish exterior design. The iPhone maker’s
going to open newest retail location in Singapore on the city-state’s
waterfront. It can claim a world’s first title: it’s the only Apple retail shop
on the planet that floats on water.The opening comes at a challenging time for
the retail sector as lockdowns and other measures linked to the deadly
coronavirus prompt more people to shop online. Apple closed all of its stores
outside of China in March 2020 and since then has been opening and closing
sites according to local conditions regarding the severity of the pandemic.
Singapore’s Apple Stores reopened on June 24 with shorter-than-usual operating
hours. In a bid to reduce the risk of staff and customers getting infected,
Apple Stores are now requiring everyone entering the premises to submit to a
touchless temperature check and wear a mask. Additional measures such as
limited store occupancy, social distancing, and regular sanitization of
surfaces are also in place.
