Apple Inc to close Dalian Parkland Mall store on August 9
First full retail store shutdown in Greater China market
Affected staff offered reassignment across 56 China outlets
Strategy pivots toward selective openings and e‑commerce growth
Apple Inc will close its Parkland Mall retail store in Dalian’s Zhongshan District on August 9, marking the tech giant’s first outright store shutdown in Greater China, Bloomberg reported.
The move reflects shifting consumer patterns and a challenging retail environment as Apple seeks to stabilise iPhone sales in its second‑largest market.
The Parkland Mall outlet, one of two Apple stores in Dalian, will shutter after several key tenants vacated the complex, the company said Monday. The nearby Olympia 66 location will remain open and affected staff will be offered reassignment across Apple’s 56 Greater China stores. Globally, Apple operates over 530 outlets.
China’s economy is under pressure from deflationary trends, weak consumer spending and export headwinds. In Apple’s fiscal second quarter, China revenue dipped 2.3% to $16 billion, falling short of analysts’ $16.8 billion forecast. Retail sales growth underperformed expectations while property values declined faster in June, underscoring broader demand softening.
Apple’s China Investment
Despite the closure, Apple continues to invest in China and other markets. A new store opens August 16 at Uniwalk Qianhai in Shenzhen, with additional Beijing and Shanghai locations planned over the next year.
Earlier this month, Apple launched its first Anhui‑province outlet. Internationally, the company has expanded in Detroit, Miami, Osaka and the Middle East and launched online stores in India and Saudi Arabia.
Apple framed the Dalian shutdown as a response to “the departure of several retailers at the Parkland Mall” and emphasised its commitment to delivering “an exceptional experience” through its remaining physical and digital channels.
The company has slowed its overall brick‑and‑mortar expansion post‑pandemic, prioritising selective lease renewals and relocations over new openings while strengthening e‑commerce in emerging markets.
This strategic retrenchment comes amid a broader trend of major brands exiting Parkland Mall. Earlier this year its majority owner assumed full operational control after high‑end labels such as Coach, Sandro and Hugo Boss declined lease renewals.
As Apple navigates a maturing retail footprint in China, its second‑largest market by sales, the company’s blend of closures and targeted openings signals a calibrated approach to store network optimisation.
