Apple launched its online retail store in the UAE yesterday, undercutting local retailers by up to Dh500 on a high-end Mac laptop.
Residents can now purchase an Apple iPad, iPhone or computer with a credit card online and have them delivered in three days.
Experts said the move would shake the electronics industry in the UAE. "Despite the fact that e-commerce has not taken off in the UAE, it's quite a price-sensitive market and people want a bargain," said Matthew Reed, a senior analyst for the Middle East and Africa at Informa Telecoms & Media.
"The lower prices will have quite an effect. Store-based retailers will probably respond by cutting their prices."
The Apple online store sells versions of the iPad 2, iPhone 4 and Macbook Pro at Dh2,099, Dh2,299 and Dh6,499 respectively.
This is hundreds of dirhams below the prices currently being offered in store and online by Plug-Ins Electronix, Sharaf DG and Carrefour UAE.
Sharaf DG sells each of these products at Dh2,149, Dh2,699 and Dh6,999, Plug-Ins sells the iPad and iPhone 4 in store at Dh2,149 and Dh2,449. Carrefour also sells the iPad 2 at Dh2,149.
“It becomes another competitor for us, it gives the consumer one more place to buy that has a competitive advantage because it does not have any overheads,” said Omar Abushaban, general manager at Plug-Ins Electronix. “Apple is looking to cash in and be more profitable in this market.”
Apple will deliver its products from a variety of warehouses around the world and has made its call centre in Ireland available to UAE customers.
The online store will also allow for the customisation of Macs before buying and for free engraving of iPads, iPhones and iPods.
Customisation of Macs has often been an issue for consumers in the UAE. Delays of up to two months with local retailers are common for computers ordered with, for example, extra memory or bigger hard drives.
Before the launch of the online store, Apple products were available only through official resellers such as Plug-Ins, supplied by Apple’s authorised distributor, Arabian Business Machine.
It is unclear whether they will still be the official distributor of Apple products to retailers. ABM and Apple declined to comment.
Online retail executives said Apple's move to sidestep its distributor was significant.
“I find it really interesting that they’ve cut out their local and regional distributor,” said Omar Kassim, founder of the retail portal JadoPado in Dubai.
Mr Kassim, whose site sells products such as the iPhone and iPad for delivery in Dubai, said Apple was likely to be seeking greater profits on sales of its products locally.
“It’s Apple basically keeping more margin for themselves,” he said. “I think they’ve seen the grey market being a pretty large factor, both locally and regionally.”
An iPad on the Apple website is Dh100 more expensive than on JadoPado, but Apple is selling the iPhone 4 from Dh2,299 – significantly lower than the Dh2,600 at JadoPado.
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SPECS
Nissan 370z Nismo
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 363hp
Torque: 560Nm
Price: Dh184,500
Formula One top 10 drivers' standings after Japan
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 306
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 234
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 192
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 148
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 111
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 82
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 65
9. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 48
10. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault 34
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Sweet%20Tooth
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
MEDIEVIL%20(1998)
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Match info
Manchester United 0-0 Crystal Palace
Man of the match: Cheikhou Kouyate (Crystal Palace)
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
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Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
How to vote
Canadians living in the UAE can register to vote online and be added to the International Register of Electors.
They'll then be sent a special ballot voting kit by mail either to their address, the Consulate General of Canada to the UAE in Dubai or The Embassy of Canada in Abu Dhabi
Registered voters mark the ballot with their choice and must send it back by 6pm Eastern time on October 21 (2am next Friday)
Company%20Profile
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The%20specs
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Thor%3A%20Love%20and%20Thunder%20
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Company info
Company name: Entrupy
Co-founders: Vidyuth Srinivasan, co-founder/chief executive, Ashlesh Sharma, co-founder/chief technology officer, Lakshmi Subramanian, co-founder/chief scientist
Based: New York, New York
Sector/About: Entrupy is a hardware-enabled SaaS company whose mission is to protect businesses, borders and consumers from transactions involving counterfeit goods.
Initial investment/Investors: Entrupy secured a $2.6m Series A funding round in 2017. The round was led by Tokyo-based Digital Garage and Daiwa Securities Group's jointly established venture arm, DG Lab Fund I Investment Limited Partnership, along with Zach Coelius.
Total customers: Entrupy’s customers include hundreds of secondary resellers, marketplaces and other retail organisations around the world. They are also testing with shipping companies as well as customs agencies to stop fake items from reaching the market in the first place.
BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
Confirmed%20bouts%20(more%20to%20be%20added)
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How to turn your property into a holiday home
- Ensure decoration and styling – and portal photography – quality is high to achieve maximum rates.
- Research equivalent Airbnb homes in your location to ensure competitiveness.
- Post on all relevant platforms to reach the widest audience; whether you let personally or via an agency know your potential guest profile – aiming for the wrong demographic may leave your property empty.
- Factor in costs when working out if holiday letting is beneficial. The annual DCTM fee runs from Dh370 for a one-bedroom flat to Dh1,200. Tourism tax is Dh10-15 per bedroom, per night.
- Check your management company has a physical office, a valid DTCM licence and is licencing your property and paying tourism taxes. For transparency, regularly view your booking calendar.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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