Having made recent inroads into the IT retail sector, Arab Business Machines (ABM) - regional distributor for Apple - is looking to establish the first chain of "Apple Centres" in the Middle East.
The proposed outlets will form the base for ABM to diversify its revenue stream and reduce its dependence on sales to corporates and organizations.
The UAE and Lebanon are being mentioned as possible launch markets.
"We have not reached a final decision on our strategy vis-à-vis the Apple Centres. As per our present plans, it will be done in collaboration with our reseller partners," said Elias Abou-Rustom, general manager, according to Gulf News.
"We ought to have a full strategy in place by year-end before we move on to implementation phase." From two per cent last year, ABM's revenues from retail shot up to 17 per cent in the first four months of this year, helped by the huge demand for products such as the iPod and the iBook. (menareport.com)
© 2004 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
