Stefan Mileschin

As it shuts down else where

Fruity cargo cult Apple has decided it is safe enough to open 42 of its branded retail temples to western consumer capitalism in China.

The stores had all shuttered in early February as China restricted travel in an attempt to slow the coronavirus outbreak, but they have been gradually reopening over the past few weeks.

Apple said that store closures in China, one of the company’s biggest markets, were a primary reason why it was forced to revise its quarterly guidance downward last month. While the situation in China may be improving, Apple is likely to be hit elsewhere as the virus spreads around the world.

This week the company closed all 17 of its stores in Italy after the government put the country in lockdown.

However, CEO Tim Cook said it seemed to him that China is getting the coronavirus under control.

“I mean you look at the numbers, they’re coming down day by day by day. And so I’m very optimistic there.” Cook went on to point out that
Apple’s suppliers were reopening factories, the closure of which had also caused Apple to lower its guidance due to projected supply constraints.

https://fudzilla.com/news/50484-appl...tores-in-china