Andre Yoskowitz
17 Feb 2014 19:22
Apple has finally opened their first retail store in Brazil, a nation that has one of the fastest-growing smartphone populations.
CEO Tim Cook tweeted "obrigado" (thank you very much in Portuguese) to all those that visited the new store in Rio de Janiero.
Brazil is a key emerging market, and will host the World Cup over the summer and then the Summer Olympics in 2016.
According to local papers, the grand opening saw over 1700 people to the store in a suburban area mall.
Hurdles to entry into the nation have been high, due to steep import tariffs that have brought prices of high-end Apple iPhones to over $1200. Apple has started producing some devices in Brazil to reduce prices, but the the 16GB unlocked Wi-Fi iPhone 5S will still sell for $1174 at launch.
'Obrigado' to everyone who visited our new store in Rio de Janeiro today and to our terrific customers across Brazil! pic.twitter.com/3nFPxN4m3Y
-- Tim Cook (@tim_cook) February 15, 2014