Another day, another thing that never happened before: 2025 Rocks (so far). Apple has many stores in China, and it is only natural, since the largest smartphone market has been in recent years. Now, Apple has decided to close a marked store in China.
Apple is ready to close a retail store in Dalian (northeastern China) on August 9, as reports show that Caprotino has been in China since 2008. Soon the closed store is located in Parkland Mall, and is being closed due to a wide range of mall traffic traffic. Other brands (such as Michael Course and Armani) have also gone.
The report claims that the move reflects the wider challenges in China’s economy, where consumer costs are weak despite government efforts to enhance the use of trade programs and subsidies for goods like smartphones and electric vehicles.
Apple also faces a growing pressure in China, which is its second largest market, as local rivals like Huawei, Xumi, and Vivo eat in their market share. The company’s sales in China are decreasing for six straight constituencies, with its 2022 revenue decreasing last year compared to the peak.
Despite the closure, Apple will maintain a presence in Dalian through another store and plans to open a new store in Shenzhen this month. In addition, Apple expects to end 2025 with the same number of retail locations in China – 58 -.
Photo by Fonina
Although Apple faces a slowdown in sales, domestic brands continue to take advantage of. According to the research firm Canalis, in particular, Huawei re -claimed to the highest position in China’s smartphone rating during the second quarter of 2025, 12.2 million units and occupied 18 % market. Huawei’s top return has come to the fore despite the overall decline in smartphone sales across the country.
Other Chinese brands also published strong numbers: Vivo secured second position with 11.8 million units, followed by Oppo and Xumi. Apple, although still in the first five, came in the last 15 % market share in the group – about 10.1 million units – keeping it behind its local rivals.
So, one store opens, the other is about to be closed: but locals catch iPhones minimal. I don’t worry about it. The big question is: How can people outside China catch the Chinese phone? Brands often only issue top shelf models for the Chinese market, and it’s a shame.
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