Apple may open second Dubai store in March, shutters Danbury, Conn. outlet for likely in-place expansion.

Apple's second outlet in the United Arab Emirates city of Dubai could open in March, a report claimed on Monday. Meanwhile, the company's Danbury Fair Mall outlet in Connecticut has temporarily shut down, presumably to grow into an adjoining space.

A two-floor space in the Dubai Mall is now covered by black construction barriers typical of upcoming Apple stores, according to a tip shared with MacRumors. The source of the information claimed that the store will have an excellent view of the nearby Dubai Fountain and the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, which extends over half a mile into the sky.

The March opening date comes from a construction worker the source spoke with.

Apple's CFO, Luca Maestri, recently announced a second Dubai outlet, but without mentioning a specific location. The company's first one launched in the Mall of the Emirates in Oct. 2015.

The only other Apple store in the U.A.E. is the Yas Mall location in Abu Dhabi.

The Danbury Fair Mall closure was announced with a message on Apple website, noting only that people can still shop at a temporary storefront operating behind the original. There's no sign of when regular operations will resume. 

There is however a large amount of empty space immediately next door, which could be a natural destination. In the past year, Apple's U.S. retail efforts have focused mostly on renovations or relocations rather that new outlets.

This extends even to the company's Fifth Avenue flagship in New York City, which is more than doubling in size from 32,000 square feet to 77,000. In the meantime, sales are operating out of the former FAO Schwarz in the area.

Source: appleinsider