Apple opens its first retail store in Singapore

Apple continues its expansion in the brick-and-mortar retail space with the first store in Southeast Asia, reveals ZDNet. Located along the well-known Orchard Road shopping strip, the Singapore-based retail store is advertised as the first one in the city-state that can entirely operate on solar power. "We view our stores as a modern-day town square, where visitors come to shop, be inspired, learn, or connect with others in their community," says Apple's senior VP or retail, Angela Ahrendts.

The new store covers a two-storey retail space that features a glass front that has almost 37 meters (121 feet) in length and consists of glass panels 14 meters (46 feet) high. The location also features a generous canopy that provides shelter from the heat and has more than 23 feet in length. The design of the Orchard Road store is completed by two curved Castania stone staircases.

Apple's retail network currently has almost 500 stores worldwide. These locations receive more than 1 million customers each day. The Cupertino giant can provide solar power to this location in Singapore thanks to its agreement with solar energy provider Sunseap Group.