Apple Store in Chinese mall prepares to close in August
Apple is closing one of its Chinese Apple Stores on August 8, while it continues to struggle for position in the competitive smartphone market.
Apple has warned consumers that an Apple Store in China is closing down. Visitors to the website of the Parkland Apple Store, also known as the Centennial City store, are greeted with a banner warning that it will permanently close at 8 p.m. on August 9.
While the store will be closing, it won’t leave consumers in the area high and dry, as the Plaza 66 store in Xigang District will still be open. As usual for an Apple Store closure, employees at the outlet will still be offered roles at other Apple Stores and elsewhere within the organization.
Apple hasn’t provided an official reason for the store’s closure. The South China Morning Post says that it follows after a change of management at the mall. The mall itself has also received a rebranding to Intime City.
A managerial change at the mall could be accompanied by other changes that could’ve affected Apple’s position. For example, the management could’ve implemented new rules or fees that Apple didn’t agree with, or even threatened a change in rent.
Challenging China
China has always been an important but turbulent trading environment for Apple, and it hasn’t fared well in 2025 so far.
Government regulators revealed in May that the shipment of non-Chinese smartphone brands in March was down almost 50% year-over-year in March. Apple makes up the vast majority of devices within that segment.
During the Q2 2025 financial results, Greater China revenue was slightly down year-over-year at -2.3% growth for the quarter. It was the seventh quarter in a row where Apple saw year-over-year revenue shrinkage for Greater China.
Apple also had to contend with the U.S.-China tariff war, which probably didn’t do any good for Apple’s reputation with consumers.
In IDC’s global shipments report for the smartphone market on July 14, Apple’s Chinese shipments declined by 1% year-over-year for the second quarter of 2025.
However, later in the month, it was revealed that a government subsidy program would apply to the iPhone and other Apple products for the first time. The subsidy provided an incentive to purchase new products, saving up to RMB 2,000 ($278) from the cost of new models.
Whether it has an effect on Apple’s Q3 results later this week remains to be seen.
