Dublin to Get First Apple Store?

Independent.ie reports Natrium, the consortium behind the acquisition of the Clerys department store in O'Connell Street, Dublin, is trying to convince Apple to rent the location.

Clerys DublinNegotiations have been reportedly going on for "several months," even if Apple is still to confirm whether it will open a first Store in the country. Then again, Apple secrecy covers retail operations as well as devices, meaning it will only officially announce such plans once the outlet is under construction.

Clerys closed down back in June 2015-- a closure deemed controversial by many, not only because the department store was a Dublin fixture for the past 40 years, but also because it led to the loss of 460 jobs. It was bought by Clerys for €29 million after it entered receivership.

Apple has a store in Belfast, Northern Ireland, but none in the Republic of Ireland. This is a bit strange, since Ireland is something of a strategic location for Apples, with facilities in and around Cork handling European business, iMac manufacturing and the reduction of taxes owed to governments around the world through the exploitation of Irish legal loopholes. Apple also wants to open a datacentre in the country, but such plans are still waiting for approval.

Go iClerys: Apple in Talks to Move into Iconic O'Connel Street Site (Independent.ie)