Apple to open new retail store across the street from Samsung HQ

Long time rivals may soon begin to get closer, in proximity that is. According to new reports from the Wall Street Journal, Apple has “looked at sites across the street from the Samsung’s longtime headquarters in Seoul, according to people familiar with the matter”.

South Korea, Asia’s fourth-largest economy, has long been a tough market for Apple. Smartphone sales are dominated by hometown favorites Samsung and LG Electronics, who together account for about 80% of the smartphone market in the country.

South Korea could give Apple the boost it needs for that particular region. Currently Apple relies on third-party retailers to sell devices. This certainly could boost sales. As usual Apple has declined to comment on whether they plan to build at the location.

This news comes not too long after Samsung recalled 2.5 million of it’s flagship Galaxy Note 7 for battery concerns. Although even if Apple has selected the location, it would be at least a year before we see anything open for business.