Apple Store coming to Perth

Stephen Withers
Friday, 17 July 2009 07:24

Opinion and Analysis

Apple has begun recruiting staff for an Apple Store in Western Australia. And unless the 6000 postcode is merely a placeholder, it's going to be in central Perth.

Apple's usual practice is to keep quiet at the corporate level about new stores until they are about to open.

Even when the Apple logo is visible on barricades around the site, company spokespeople will decline to comment.

This time is no different: "We have no announcements at this time," an Apple spokesperson told iTWire.

The first indication of a new Apple Store location is often Apple's job opportunities listings. While there are no current vacancies in Perth, Apple has begun accepting applications from would-be store managers, assistant store managers, geniuses, and other specialists to fill anticipated vacancies.

The company is also actively recruiting staff for its forthcoming Brisbane (Chermside) store.

Apple's existing stores are in Sydney (CBD and Chatswood), Melbourne (Chadstone and Doncaster) and Gold Coast (Robina).

There is persistent speculation that the company is looking for a Melbourne CBD location. If that were true, a second suburban Sydney store would presumably be on the cards.

Although Brisbane's population has been growing rapidly in recent years, at a little over one million it is considerably smaller than Sydney or Melbourne. It seems unlikely that Brisbane would get a second Apple Store before Adelaide - with a slightly larger population - gets its first.

Still, population isn't the only factor you consider before opening a retail outlet.