Almost an year ago Apple confirmed that it would open an official retail store in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Though it didn’t exactly say when the store will be opened. Almost a year down the road there’s no official word about the progress of Brazil’s first ever Apple Retail Store. A new report suggests that the store might be opened up early next year, just in time for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Barring delays related to staffing and construction, the report suggests that the store may be opened between February and March 2014. Apparently retail expansion into South America is “high priority” for Apple, so much so that it is seeking retail employees in the U.S. willing to relocate to Rio de Janeiro for a few months to teach local retail employees. They’ll also be on hand to assist customers as locals go through the learning curve. Another source claims that the store was originally supposed to open in July 2013, but due to staffing issues, the launch couldn’t take place. March 2014 is believed to be the correct timeframe, just a few months before 2014 FIFA World Cup. A new Apple Retail Store opening up shortly before one of the largest sporting events in the world, which attracts hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts from around the world, doesn’t get any better than this, does it?
Filed in . Read more about Apple Store.