Apple opens its second Apple store in Yeouido on the 26th “More than double the number of domestic customer service providers” Apple stores in Myeong-dong and Haeundae in Busan seem to open
Inside view of Apple’s Yeouido store. /Provided by Apple Korea
Apple will open’Apple Yeouido’, the second Apple store in Korea, at 10 am on the 26th at IFC Mall in Yeouido, Seoul. Until now, there has been a strong perception that Apple is’treating cold’ in the Korean market, such as the insufficient after-sales service (AS) controversy. Apple aims to expand its domestic customer contact points and strengthen its target in the Korean market through the opening of the Yeouido Store.
Apple held a media preview event on the morning of the 24th to unveil the Yeouido Store store in advance. In the Apple Store, Apple products can be repaired, and experience, purchase, and instruction on how to use are provided. It has been about three years since Apple opened an official store in Korea in January 2018, following the Garosu-gil store in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The Garosu-gil store has been visited by millions of customers and is one of the most popular branches of Apple stores around the world.
View of Apple Store in Garosu-gil, Gangnam, Seoul. /Chosun DB
The Yeouido store, located directly opposite the Starbucks store on the 1st basement floor of IFC Mall, feels smaller than the Garosu-gil store. It is estimated to be about 330㎡ (100 pyeong). However, Yeouido is the center of Korea’s politics, economy, and broadcasting, and is directly connected to more floating populations and subway stations than Garosu-gil, so it has good accessibility.
The Yeouido Store has a structure that allows you to see the inside of the store with a glass wall, like the Garosu-gil store, and the appearance of the store didn’t look much different. It has a similar structure when visiting Apple stores around the world such as New York. However, Apple introduced a custom logo for the Yeouido Store. This logo was created by designer Seok Yoon-i, inspired by the high-rise building in Yeouido, and incorporates the changes of the island and various cultural features.
Upon entering the store, Apple employees greeted the reporters. This is Apple’s own culture that takes place whenever there are special events such as the launch of a new iPhone. Visitors who come in time for the official opening day on the 26th can also experience this.
Apple’s Yeouido store store employees clap their hands to meet reporters. / Reporter Lee Kyung-tak
Reporters on Apple’s visit to the Yeouido store are covering. / Reporter Lee Kyung-tak
117 employees work in the Yeouido store, and they take turns helping visiting customers to experience the latest Apple products and after-sales services. As many foreigners visit Yeouido IFC Mall, customer service will be provided in a total of six languages. In addition, Apple is preparing several experiential training sessions for visiting customers as there are so many different types of devices released.
Employees preparing training sessions at Apple’s Yeouido Store store. /Provided by Apple Korea
When a reporter was having difficulty setting up’AirPod Max’, a noise canceling (noise canceling) headphone recently released by Apple, the staff immediately approached him and explained in an easy and friendly way from connecting the device to the setting method to hear the best sound quality.
For high professionalism, each employee has a specialized device, so any customer will be able to receive satisfactory guidance.
IPhone 12 Pro displayed at Apple’s Yeouido store. / Reporter Lee Kyung-tak
‘Airpod Max’ displayed at Apple’s Yeouido store. / Reporter Lee Kyung-tak
On the opening day of the store on the 26th, due to the quarantine problem caused by a novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19), it is only possible through reservation. You can select the available time of visit through apple.com/kr/yeouido, and reservations are non-transferable and up to one person at a time.
Deardry O’Brien, senior vice president of Apple, said, “The passion and love of Korean customers inspires all of Apple’s employees. It is a great honor to meet more customers on a scale that has more than doubled in Korea since the opening of Garosu-gil.” said.
Following the Yeouido store, Apple is expected to open its third store in Myeong-dong and its fourth store in Haeundae, Busan.
