Apple is set to reopen its three retail stores in the UAE from Monday as authorities ease Covid-19 restrictions.
The technology company has two stores in Dubai, at Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Mall, and a third at Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi.
Apple told The National that it will carry out temperature checks and limit the number of people in the stores to observe social distancing norms.
The stores will open from 11am to 7.30pm.
“We are excited to begin welcoming visitors back to some of our UAE stores this Monday ... we have missed our customers and look forward to offering our support,” the company said.
“With many [consumers] working and learning from home, we look forward to providing the service and support they need, whether that be picking up a new product or getting help with one they already own.”
Apple is responding to the gradual easing of restrictions by reopening stores in countries where Covid-19 infection rates are showing signs of slowing down.
The company, which is based in Cupertino, California, closed more than 50 stores in Greater China in January after the pandemic first took hold and reopened them in March.
It then closed all of its stores outside Greater China as the virus spread around the world. This affected more than 460 stores, including about 270 in the US.
Of its 510 outlets worldwide, 278 are now open. That number will rise to 281 when the UAE stores reopen today.
“Newly reopened stores will have significant safety procedures, including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings to ensure customers and employees continue to stay healthy,” Apple said.
“Our social distance protocol means a limited number of visitors in the store at [any] one time, so there may be a delay for walk-in customers.”
Apple said in May that its decision to reopen stores was based on “local conditions” and could be reversed, if necessary.
“Our commitment is to only move forward with a reopening once we are confident we can safely return to serving customers,” Deirdre O’Brien, the company’s senior vice president of retail and people, said.
“These are not decisions we rush into ... and a store opening in no way means that we won’t take the preventive step of closing it again should local conditions warrant [such]."
Apple’s employees are returning to the workplace gradually, with the first phase applying to employees who cannot work remotely. The second phase will begin in July.
Covid-19 restrictions also affected Apple’s performance in the first quarter of the year. The company’s iPhone sales declined 8.2 per cent year on year to 41 million units during the period.
Supply chain disruptions and lower consumer spending as a result of movement restrictions affected Apple’s sales, said Annette Zimmermann, research vice-president at Gartner.
“If Covid-19 would not have happened, the vendor would have likely seen its iPhone sales reach record levels in the quarter,” she said.
While Apple does not disclose its retail store revenue in its results, direct sales, including the contribution of retail and online stores, accounted for more than 30 per cent of its $260.17 billion (Dh955.6bn) in revenue last year.
Meanwhile, the company has designed, tested and distributed more than 10 million face shields and procured more than 30 million face masks for healthcare professionals in areas hit hard by the coronavirus across the world.
In a rare partnership, it also teamed up with Google to introduce contact-tracing technology to reduce the spread of the virus.
The biog
Name: Sarah Al Senaani
Age: 35
Martial status: Married with three children - aged 8, 6 and 2
Education: Masters of arts in cultural communication and tourism
Favourite movie: Captain Corelli’s Mandolin
Favourite hobbies: Art and horseback ridding
Occupation: Communication specialist at a government agency and the owner of Atelier
Favourite cuisine: Definitely Emirati - harees is my favourite dish
Company%20profile
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Read more about the coronavirus
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
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UAE Premiership
Results
Dubai Exiles 24-28 Jebel Ali Dragons
Abu Dhabi Harlequins 43-27 Dubai Hurricanes
Final
Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Jebel Ali Dragons, Friday, March 29, 5pm at The Sevens, Dubai
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Results
4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$300,000 (Dirt) 1,900m; Winner: Emblem Storm, Oisin Murphy (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Wafy, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Turf Group 3 $350,000 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Wildman Jack, Fernando Jara, Doug O’Neill.
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.
6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $400,000 (T) 1,800m; Winner: Barney Roy, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $600,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Matterhorn, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.
7.30pm: Dubai City Of Gold Group 2 $350,000 (T) 2,410m; Winner: Loxley, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby.
Hot%20Seat
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Race card
5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; 5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; 6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (PA) 1,400m
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Stage 2 results
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5 Rick Zabel (GER) Israel Start-Up Nation
General Classification
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