Apple to open retail store in Jakarta this year

Good news to Apple fans and users in Indonesia. The company is launching its own online and retail store in the country within the year.

The Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (“BKPM” in Bahasa) has approved the world leading tech company’s proposal to establish its online store and first retail store in the capital city Jakarta. The long-awaited news for local consumers and customers here, which also has been reconfirmed by Apple, will let users buy products on the company’s official store, apart from its authorized resellers across the nation.

A funding of US$3 million has been slotted for the set-up, as local news portal detikfinance reports. The information was revealed by BKPM Chairman Muhammad Chatib Basri in a press conference of last year second semester and fourth quarter investment realization this Tuesday.

Apple Retail Store in Causeway Bay Hong Kong (Credit: Apple)

This will be the fourth country where Apple will set up shop in the region, after Shanghai, Hong Kong and Tokyo, respectively. It seems the Cupertino company feels that they need to strengthen its foothold and generate more sales in Southeast Asia from official channels, apart from parallel import of its products such as the iPad and iPhone.

On a bigger perspective , last November the super giant Apple opened its iTunes Store to 55 countries, including Indonesia, and now lets users to buy music and video offerings in the local currency. Buying online from Apple’s own store gives users convenience, the opportunity to save money through Apple’s regular promos, and get products customized with add-on hardware or applications. Users will just need to wait for delivery.

As for the retail store, Apple’s in-store staff offer additional services, such as transferring of data for free. Of course, users get to take products home immediately, without having to wait for delivery. You can fire up the device and test it before taking it home.  If there is an issue, then sales personnel can bring out another machine.

Like around 400 Apple stores in 14 countries, the Indonesia retail stopres will be open all day – 11 to 12 hours on weekdays and 8 to 12 hours on Sundays. It will feature a “Genius Bar” where customers would receive set up service, technical advice and repair for their products, as well as free workshops to the public.

Back to 2008, Apple had set-up their online store in Indonesia, which was online for around two years before closing down due to shipping and delivery problems. It will be interesting where Apple will decide to open its retail stores. Will i be inside shopping malls or as stand-alone flagship stores? For sure, both options would be in high-profile locations.